In the standoff between the two, Ji Yuluo ultimately said nothing.
Huo Xian’s casual and indifferent gaze now carried a deep probing intent. This scrutiny made her feel uneasy, even fearful. She subconsciously shifted her feet and pursed her lips, avoiding his gaze to look out the window.
Diagonally across the street was a shop selling rice cakes, the one Chaolu liked. The little girl often brought some back when she went out on errands, generously sharing them with her.
But tonight, she didn’t bring Chaolu along when she went out with Huo Xian. Chaolu was quite displeased; Ji Yuluo had seen her lying listlessly on the table before she left. She would have to bring back a package of rice cakes for her when she returned to the mansion.
Ji Yuluo’s thoughts wandered aimlessly.
Huo Xian didn’t press her. After a brief silence, he conveyed roughly what Xiao Yuanting had said.
Ji Yuluo snapped back to reality and pondered, “An outside residence? So, this person might know a thing or two about Xiao Yuanjing’s whereabouts during those years. But…” She tried hard to recall the market streets of Yunyang. Although Yunyang was a border region plagued by constant war, it was also a bustling trade hub due to its location, with many escort agencies. “Did Xiao Yuanting reveal any more details?”
Huo Xian replied coolly, “No.”
Even when drunk, Xiao Yuanting didn’t forget things. Asking too much would easily expose flaws.
Ji Yuluo showed a faint disappointment, but she knew that any clue could be traced further. Tonight’s trip wasn’t in vain.
She just regretted being too young at the time, her memories of Yunyang growing faint. If she were older, she might have heard about the Xiao family of the inspectorate, heard about the Xiao family members.
But if she were older, she might also understand the principle of “officials protecting each other,” and wouldn’t have foolishly gone to report to the authorities after seeing soldiers slaughter the Qiao family. Knowing there were hypocritical officials like Ji Chongwang in the world, how could she be sure others weren’t the same?
Ji Yuluo fell silent again.
Her slightly lowered lashes hid her pupils, making it hard to guess her thoughts.
Downstairs, the pleasure boat was still filled with song and dance. The drunken seemed a bit sober now, someone shouting, “Where’s the Zhenfu?” Another laughed, “The Zhenfu is in the room. What could he be doing there? Keep your voice down, don’t spoil the fun.”
This brought a burst of laughter.
The sounds reached the upstairs compartment. Huo Xian also chuckled.
Ji Yuluo naturally heard it too. She glanced faintly towards the door, then asked, “When will we return to the mansion?”
Huo Xian said, “Let them enjoy themselves first.”
Ji Yuluo turned to look at him, “Indulging in wine and women, aren’t you afraid the censorate will impeach you again?”
She paused, her tone light as she said, “Oh, of course not. This suits the Zhenfu just fine.”
A moment of silence.
Huo Xian let out a faint sigh from his nose, seemingly amused, “Those who think they are clever often bring trouble upon themselves. I advise you to be honest.”
It seemed like she had stepped on his minefield, and Ji Yuluo’s mood suddenly brightened a bit. She said mockingly, “Am I not being honest? Pretending to be obedient and clever all day in the mansion isn’t enough. It’s really hard being the wife of the Zhenfu.”
Upon hearing this, Huo Xian curled his lips meaningfully. “A wife is not for pretending to be obedient and clever.”
The word “for” was full of interest.
‘All talk and no action,’ Ji Yuluo silently mocked in her heart, feeling annoyed with her own immaturity. She really was engaging in a verbal sparring match with him here.
She looked across the street and said, “It’s still early. I’m going to buy some snacks for Chaolu.”
With that, Ji Yuluo grabbed the window railing, about to jump down onto the deck, but paused and inexplicably asked, “What about you?”
Huo Xian raised his eyebrows slightly, but leaned heavily against the window, “I won’t go.”
“Oh.” Ji Yuluo said nothing more. She let go and landed lightly on the deck, so quietly that hardly anyone noticed.
She didn’t order the pleasure boat to dock but used her lightness skill to effortlessly skim across the lake and disappear into the darkness, finally landing steadily at the less crowded end of the bridge. She then walked into the bustling market with the crowd.
Huo Xian could see her, walking straight to the shop selling rice cakes.
She still wore the embroidered uniform of the Jinyiwei , causing passersby to retreat three paces at the sight of her. Even the shopkeeper selling rice cakes was much more respectful, eager to send her away quickly.
Standing with her hands behind her back at the shop’s open window, Ji Yuluo vaguely understood why Huo Xian didn’t come along.
But this reason was somewhat absurd. Could the infamously ruthless Zhenfu actually be worried about scaring the common people? While waiting for the rice cakes, Ji Yuluo glanced back at the distant pleasure boat. He was still standing by the window.
The distance was too far for Ji Yuluo to see more than a tiny silhouette. He stood there lightly hugging his arms, lazily leaning.
The gentle breeze and bustling crowd seemed unrelated to him, the dark mountain silhouette behind the pleasure boat merging more naturally with him. From that indistinct figure, Ji Yuluo unexpectedly sensed a heavy loneliness.
Perhaps it was the alcohol making her muddled, she thought.
Turning back, she glanced inadvertently and saw Shen Qingli winking at her from a tavern in the back alley.
Ji Yuluo was taken aback. What was Shen Qingli doing here?
She instinctively dared not look back, worried about attracting Huo Xian’s attention. With all the recent commotion at Cuixue Tower, she couldn’t guarantee Huo Xian wouldn’t make a move if he noticed. But after a moment of caution, she realized that the back alley was conveniently a blind spot from the pleasure boat.
Holding the paper package the shopkeeper handed her, Ji Yuluo deliberately avoided attention and headed towards the tavern.
Shen Qingli sat by the window, smiling at the person opposite. “What a coincidence. I saw you board the Jinyiwei s boat just now and didn’t dare recognize you.”
His tone was sarcastic.
Ji Yuluo said, “What are you doing here?”
Shen Qingli sighed, “The patrols of the Jinyiwei in the city have doubled, watching us closely. There’s no room to maneuver, so I’m just having a drink. But you, Miss Yuluo, seem to be living quite comfortably.”
Ji Yuluo didn’t believe a word he said. They were surely preparing something in secret, harboring some ill intentions.
She thought for a moment and asked, “Was the epidemic your doing? What are you planning next?”
Shen Qingli showed a surprised expression, “You have a sense of curiosity too? Usually, you act as if nothing concerns you. Tsk, I thought Miss Yuluo didn’t care about anything except herself.”
Ji Yuluo gave him a cold look without saying a word.
Shen Qingli took a sip of his wine, playing with the fan in his hand, and said, “Actually, the original plan for this epidemic was far more extensive than it is now. Ideally, it would spread throughout the city, even reaching the palace.”
As he spoke, he glanced at Ji Yuluo, but she showed no expression. There was no trace of compassion for human lives on her face, as if this was just a trivial matter to her. It seemed that no one’s death had anything to do with her. Shen Qingli sighed inwardly, thinking that some people’s hearts were truly made of stone. He had initially worried that this young girl might be deceived by Huo Xian’s bewitching face.
It seemed he had overthought.
Shen Qingli continued, “Unfortunately, Huo Xian disrupted our plans. Now, we’re in the midst of regrouping.”
Which was equivalent to saying nothing.
Ji Yuluo was about to stand up when Shen Qingli hurriedly said, “Hey, hey, I remind you, be cautious when you’re out and about. Don’t trust anyone easily. Not everyone is like that silly girl Chaolu, who would follow you for two pieces of rice cake.”
Ji Yuluo twitched the corners of her mouth, “Take care of yourself.”
Shen Qingli popped some peanuts into his mouth and muttered to himself, “Really unlikable. What does he see in her anyway?”
Ji Yuluo didn’t hear his words. As she left, she didn’t forget to pick up the paper package. Who knew, as soon as she turned around, she bumped into a tall and sturdy figure. Who else could it be but Huo Xian?
She was taken aback and instinctively glanced back through the tavern’s window, but Shen Qingli was already gone. Only a half-finished cup of wine remained.
This guy must be like a groundhog, running faster than anyone else.
Huo Xian also looked inside, raising an eyebrow and saying, “Seems like a secret rendezvous with your lover.”
Ji Yuluo didn’t argue, nodding, “Yes, luckily my lover has good legs and can run fast.”
Huo Xian naturally knew she had quite a few “allies” in the capital and said indifferently, “Then I blame myself for being late.”
People around had already recognized him.
Huo Xian’s face was quite notable. Growing up in the capital, his flamboyant actions were well-known, and many people recognized him. Plus, he had been appearing frequently during the recent epidemic, making him even more familiar to the common folk in the streets and alleys.
Ji Yuluo, worried about being pelted with vegetable leaves, didn’t stay long. She glanced at him and stepped out of the alley.
After walking a short distance, until she reached a relatively quiet area, Ji Yuluo’s pace slowed down.
She suddenly furrowed her brows, wondering why Shen Qingli had come tonight. And what was that inexplicable conversation about…
Ji Yuluo pondered for a long time, unable to understand. Shen Qingli often spoke without restraint, talking nonsense all the time. Who knew what he was up to today?
Coming back to her senses, Ji Yuluo saw two long shadows on the ground. Although Huo Xian was half a step behind her, his shadow was still much longer than hers.
Ji Yuluo stared at the other shadow, calming down, and said out of the blue, “Huo Xian, I’m quite skilled.”
Disappearing for a while wouldn’t put her in danger. Even if she encountered trouble, she would find a way to escape.
This time, just like the last time in the suburbs, there was no need to rush to find her.
Huo Xian didn’t respond, and it was unclear whether he heard her or not, but Ji Yuluo didn’t want to repeat herself. The night wind brushed her face, and she instinctively scratched her cheek.
Meanwhile, Shen Qingli finally emerged from behind the door once the two figures had receded into the distance.
The playful expression on his face faded, his mouth gradually relaxed, and he stared at Huo Xian’s retreating figure, becoming as still as a statue amidst the bustling street.
Zhushu appeared from somewhere, glanced at the departing people, then at Shen Qingli, and said, “The master has done his best.”
Shen Qingli withdrew his gaze with a bitter smile, and softly said, “Ever since he was a child, he seemed like someone who would vie for power. When we were young, I mocked that if he entered the court, he would be a great traitor who only sought personal gain. Who would have thought that my words would come true? But why did he have to be part of the eunuch faction…”
Zhushu couldn’t console him and could only stand by helplessly.
Far ahead, Huo Xian suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked back but saw nothing.
He frowned slightly.
