As Nanyue left the palace, he was careful to leave a spy trailing Hongshuang’s carriage. He feared that even heavy guards might not be able to prevent Ji Yuluo from escaping. To his surprise, however, the carriage left before it had even picked up anyone.
At first, he thought the operation had been compromised, prompting an early withdrawal. However, the secret guard followed the carriage and found that Hongshuang had abandoned it and gone to the Duke’s Mansion, circling the outer walls twice. It seemed something had happened at the mansion, as even Xiao Yuanjing had rushed back.
Xiao Yuanjing was Xiao Cheng’s nephew and Xiao Yuanting’s cousin. Despite the minor difference in their names, Xiao Yuanjing was far superior to Xiao Yuanting. Although his rank was not high, he was in charge of firearms in the Shenji Camp, and the Jinyiwei had to deal with him every year for firearms and cannons.
Although he had never made things difficult for the Jinyiwei, his attitude was neither cold nor warm. He was always polite and professional, sharing only a nodding acquaintance with Huo Xian.
When Huo Xian dismounted, he happened to see Xiao Yuanjing getting off his carriage.
Both men were momentarily stunned, then nodded to each other. Seeing the dozen carriages at the entrance and knowing that Xiao Yuanting was hosting today, Xiao Yuanjing wasn’t surprised to see Huo Xian. After nodding, he was about to leave.
However, Huo Xian initiated some small talk: “Master Xiao, are you here for the banquet as well? It seems Yuanjing’s new dancer is truly beautiful.”
Xiao Yuanjing didn’t deny it and replied, “I must first pay respects to my uncle. Please, Lord Huo, enjoy yourself.”
The two parted ways at the corridor. Xiao Yuanjing headed to the rear courtyard, while Huo Xian went to the front courtyard. Looking back, Huo Xian saw Xiao Yuanjing walking quickly. As he turned back, he encountered a row of guards hurrying past him.
Nanyue caught someone to ask what was happening, and they only replied, “There’s been a thief in the mansion. An important item was stolen from our master’s study, and we’re searching for it.”
With that, they hurried to join the team.
Huo Xian squinted his eyes, showing a contemplative expression.
Nanyue was particularly puzzled: “It’s a pity that Hongshuang got away. I wonder what happened at the Xiao mansion. There’s no news from the palace yet. Could this be related to Madam?”
Huo Xian, staring at the distant guards, remained silent.
Nanyue, touching his chin, speculated, “Madam is trapped in the palace, yet Hongshuang came to the Duke’s Mansion. Could she be seeking help? Are they in cahoots? But given the situation at the Xiao mansion, it’s said there was a thief. Could Hongshuang be the thief?”
Huo Xian strode towards the front courtyard, saying, “Who knows, let’s wait and see.”
The front courtyard was a stark contrast to the rear courtyard’s solemnity. There was the clinking of cups, songs, and dances, with everyone holding a beauty, making it extremely lively.
Seeing Huo Xian’s arrival, Xiao Yuanting was so surprised that he quickly pushed away the person in his arms and joyfully said, “Why are you here? Didn’t you say you wouldn’t come?”
Someone teased, “You’ve praised that dancer to the skies. How could Huo Zhe’an resist not coming?”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Huo Xian also smiled and took a seat, saying, “Indeed, I was still thinking about it while on duty. I thought I had to see this dancer, or I wouldn’t be able to focus on my work.”
This remark made everyone laugh even harder, prompting someone to urge, “Little Master Xiao, what are you waiting for? Arrange it already!”
Xiao Yuanting waved his hand, “What’s the rush? It’s still early. The best things should come last.”
With that, Xiao Yuanting directed his beauty to pour wine for Huo Xian.
Huo Xian smiled and accepted, watching the guards running back and forth not far away. He took a sip of his drink and said, “I heard your house was robbed?”
Xiao Yuanting’s face immediately fell, and he waved his hand dismissively, “Don’t mention it. I was the one who discovered it. It was too dark to see clearly, and they got away. My father insisted on chasing after them, saying something was stolen. I finally got to host at the mansion, but with guards patrolling everywhere, it’s so unpleasant. I told him not to chase, and if anything valuable was missing, he could choose something from my private collection. He slapped me in return. What a mess…”
Huo Xian seemed to ask casually and didn’t press further. He smiled and went to amuse himself with the beauties.
The atmosphere was lively. He occasionally glanced at the guards in the distance; as long as they didn’t withdraw, it meant the thief hadn’t been caught. He looked at Nanyue, who shook his head at him.
Huo Xian’s expression didn’t change, but he lowered his gaze slightly and smiled, feeding wine to the beauty next to him with an effortlessly charming demeanor.
After a long while, the preliminary entertainment grew dull. Only then did Xiao Yuanting order someone to bring in the main act. To match the exquisite dance performer, even the accompanying dancers and musicians were carefully selected from the palace’s music bureau.
It must be said, Xiao Yuanting put considerable effort into his revelries.
At this moment, the musicians and dancers were resting in the guest rooms of the rear courtyard. When summoned to the front courtyard, they all fixed their appearances in the mirror, donned lace veils, and lined up to go out. The main dancer wore a luxurious purple outfit and did not wear a veil, revealing her stunning beauty, a blend of Western and Eastern features.
Ji Yuluo, mixed in with the backup dancers, went unnoticed due to their similar attire. The group walked gracefully to the front courtyard, brushing past the guards who said, “I saw her running in that direction!”
Ji Yuluo turned her head slightly, touching the pearl earrings under her ear. She intended to slip away at the corner, but a steward appeared, urging, “Hurry up, the guests in the front courtyard are getting anxious!”
Ji Yuluo frowned slightly and, hearing the returning guards, reluctantly followed the others.
Xiao Yuanting’s hosting was in a garden. The musicians and dancers lined up and entered, with the main dancer taking the central carpeted spot. As soon as she appeared, the scene became lively.
Ji Yuluo took the most inconspicuous spot, imitating the other dancers’ movements while scanning her surroundings. She paused when she saw Huo Xian sitting to Xiao Yuanting’s left and lowered her head further.
The beauty beside Huo Xian was half-drunk, almost fainting on his shoulder. He signaled Nanyue to take her away. His gaze briefly stopped at an inconspicuous corner before he quickly averted his eyes, observing discreetly.
The woman’s lower body was dressed in a snow-blue chiffon dance skirt trailing on the ground, adorned with silver-threaded patterns that shimmered under the lights. Her upper body was bare at the midriff, showcasing a slender waist with two bells hanging, emitting a soft tinkling sound.
On closer inspection, her dance steps were not as refined as the others, but her sleeve movements were exceptional, flowing like a sword dance. However, the audience’s attention was focused on the main dancer, not noticing the partially veiled woman at the end.
Huo Xian gripped his wine cup tightly.
Xiao Yuanting laughed, “How is it? Stunning, right? You must agree, she’s exceptional!”
Huo Xian smiled, clinking glasses with Xiao Yuanting, his gaze indistinct among the crowd, “Exceptional.”
Xiao Yuanting was delighted. Few could impress Huo Zhe’an; even the top courtesan of the Wanhua House didn’t. Generously, Xiao Yuanting said, “If you like her, I can lend her to you for a couple of days.”
Huo Xian replied, “No need. It’s not right to take a friend’s girl.”
Xiao Yuanting wasn’t too willing to part with her either and chuckled, “Next time, I’ll find an even better one for you!”
As the dance concluded, the performance ended. The audience, still unsatisfied, clamored for another dance. Xiao Yuanting was about to agree when Huo Xian interjected, “If you see too much, it won’t be as precious.”
Xiao Yuanting agreed, hastily promising next time, next time. He still needed the dancers to host future gatherings, so he said, “No more dancing, come and pour the gentlemen some wine.”
Ji Yuluo took a deep breath, suppressing her impatience.
She was observing how to exit quietly when a hand pulled her to a seat. The man, slightly drunk, held onto the beauty beside him and laughed, “A little lady from the palace music bureau is different from those in the brothels. If it weren’t for Young Master Xiao, we wouldn’t have this fortune! Come, drink!”
Even through the veil, Ji Yuluo could smell the alcohol on his breath. She endured it and lifted the jug, just about to pour wine when a hand suddenly pressed the jug back down.
Ji Yuluo turned her head, and it was Huo Xian. She instinctively clenched her fist.
Their eyes met, and Huo Xian grasped her hand firmly, preventing her from making any move.
The man across sobered up instantly, and faced with Huo Xian’s seemingly amused expression, he quickly flattered, “Lord Huo, please go ahead.”
Huo Xian unceremoniously pulled Ji Yuluo to his own seat. She stumbled and knelt beside him, quickly pretending to lift the wine jug to avoid attracting attention in the lively scene.
Seeing her adeptness at blending in, Huo Xian remarked, “Good skills. Where did you come from? Do you also have the ability to dig tunnels?”
He didn’t raise his voice, and Ji Yuluo glanced around out of the corner of her eye, not wanting to be noticed. She poured the wine and handed it over, saying, “Who knows?”
Huo Xian didn’t respond, nor did he take the wine. He just stared at her intently, then smiled, his fingers idly playing with the bells at her waist. When his fingers touched her skin, Ji Yuluo shivered. As she was about to put down the cup, he pulled her into his arms with a swift motion.
It was the same posture as when the beauty had leaned on him earlier.
Ticklish.
Ji Yuluo frowned slightly and whispered, “What do you want?”
Huo Xian smiled and took the cup from her hand. “Nothing much, just some whispers.”
He held the cup to Ji Yuluo’s lips, pretending to feed her wine flirtatiously. Leaning in close to her ear, he said, “What are you doing at the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion? What is here that’s worth your visit? Tell me quietly, and I won’t make a fuss.”
His last words were almost a breath against her ear. Ji Yuluo instinctively wanted to rub her earlobe. She looked up at him, smiling meaningfully, “If you really want to know, why don’t you ask your foster father?”
Her smile was not pleasant.
The curve of Huo Xian’s lips faded, and his eyes glimpsed Xiao Yuanjing approaching with his men. He grabbed Ji Yuluo’s chin, turning her head, “This isn’t right. You’re the one in a trap now. Why tease me?”
He paused, then teased slowly, “Why don’t you beg me? If you beg, I’ll help you. How about that?”
Ji Yuluo silently watched Xiao Yuanjing for a moment, then turned to Huo Xian with a slight smile, “If I fall into their hands, I’ll say—”
She leaned in closer, the faint scent of makeup on her veil, and whispered, “It was you who instructed me to follow Zhao Yong and infiltrate the Duke of Zhenguo’s mansion.”
Huo Xian stared at her, so close he could clearly see the reflection in her pupils. They seemed to be in a silent standoff as Xiao Yuanjing drew nearer. Suddenly, Huo Xian chuckled, pressing her lips through the veil with a forceful rub, as if in retaliation, “Young lady, your words are really unpleasant. Good thing I have a good temper.”
With that, Huo Xian abruptly pushed her away.
Immediately, there was a “clang” as the wine cup fell to the ground. Huo Xian stood up quickly, frowning and brushing the wine stains from his clothes, displeased, “Clumsy.”
Xiao Yuanting looked over and hurriedly had someone lead him to change clothes, snapping at the seemingly calm little dancer beside him, “What are you standing there for? Go!”
