Xiao Shen’s heartbeat slowed down uncontrollably when he was caught off guard by those enchanting peach blossom eyes. His mind went blank for a moment. “I…”
“En?” Shen Qingzhuo lifted the youth’s chin with the folded jade fan. “Who told you about this place, and who brought you in?”
Xiao Shen came back to his senses and replied righteously, “I secretly followed Master.”
“What did you say?” Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help but frown. “Did you follow me secretly?”
“Yes.” He bravely faced his master’s scrutiny, the youth said honestly, “Master said that you wanted to investigate the case. I was afraid that Master would be in danger, so I followed you here.”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
“Who knew that I would get lost halfway through following?” Xiao Shen seemed a little annoyed. “As a result, when I asked around about the place name Xiang Fang something nearby, I found out there was only this brothel!”
Shen Qingzhuo put away his fan and asked, “The palace is under strict security. You have to go through many checkpoints to get in and out. How did you get out?”
Xiao Shen blinked his eyelashes innocently, “Really? I came out with Master’s tablet.”
Shen Qingzhuo was surprised and asked, “What tablet?”
“It’s…” Xiao Shen slowly took out a Jinyiwei tablet from his pocket. “It’s the one Master wore before…”
Shen Qingzhuo: “……”
He initially held the tablet of the Commander Zhenfu and later was promoted to the Commander of the Jinyiwei. Emperor Guangxi specially gave him a custom-made gold tablet, and the previous Jinyiwei tablet was put aside. Unexpectedly, his little disciple stole it without anyone noticing.
“It is true that it is difficult to prevent thieves at home even if you guard against them day and night1It means what it said, bad people from within are the most difficult to guard against..” Shen Qingzhuo laughed angrily and stood up and scolded, “You are really brave, Xiao Qi, to dare to walk out of the palace with the Jinyiwei tablet in your hand. Do you know what the consequences will be if you are caught?”
“I didn’t think that much.” The youth raised his face stubbornly, “I just wanted to protect Master.”
Shen Qingzhuo said unhappily, “Didn’t you see that Kong Shang was following me? Why should you worry?”
“Master didn’t tell me what you do now.” The youth’s blazing eyes suddenly dimmed. “Obviously… Obviously it wasn’t like this before…”
Shen Qingzhuo’s heart tightened, and he subconsciously explained, “Master didn’t mean that, it’s just, just…”
“Just what?” Xiao Shen raised his eyes and asked with red eyes.
“It’s just this place is really not suitable for you.” Shen Qingzhuo said helplessly, “You are still young. The ladies in Zuixiang Fang are much more terrible than the maids that the Empress Dowager sent to you.”
Xiao Shen seized the loophole in his words and said, “Then what Master means is that I can go to brothels when I grow up?”
Shen Qingzhuo: “Not really…”
“You said that you’re investigating a case, but those women are almost rushing over you.” Xiao Shen’s face was downcast. “Master, how can you not have any sense of crisis?”
“It’s not that exaggerated.” Shen Qingzhuo sat down again and asked with concern, “How about you? You weren’t scared by the ladies in Zuixiang Fang, were you?”
Xiao Shen shook his head and asked again, “Then what did you find out?”
Shen Qingzhuo sighed: “Don’t mention it. I was just about to lure that Miss Ying Luo to show up, but you jumped out and interrupted me.”
“Miss Ying Luo?” Xiao Shen rubbed the rim of the cup with his fingertips and asked calmly, “What does this have to do with her?”
Shen Qingzhuo covered his face with a fan and replied in a low voice, “According to the information we received, this Miss Ying Luo should know the one in the Eastern Palace.”
He had a bold guess in his mind, but he needed to meet the person to verify it.
“I never thought that the Crown Prince, who usually pretends to be a gentleman, actually likes to visit brothels in private.” Xiao Shen raised his eyebrows in surprise and said in a gloating tone, “If our respected Emperor Father knew about this, he would definitely be disappointed.”
“I’m afraid this matter is not that simple.” Shen Qingzhuo knocked on the table, “Right now, I have to find a way to meet that Miss Ying Luo.”
Xiao Shen curled his lips and said, “As long as we spend enough money, it’s not hard to meet a woman from a place like this.”
“You, stop speaking ill of these ladies.” Shen Qingzhuo hit him on the head with his fan again. “Most of the women in brothels are poor and miserable. It’s hard for them to make a living, and their lives are not in their own hands.”
“Oh…” Xiao Shen lowered his head obediently and corrected his mistakes as soon as he knew them. “I understand, Master.”
Shen Qingzhuo nodded slightly: “But the truth is, the Proprietor of Zuixiang Fang is greedy for money, so we can only use money to attack her.”
After saying that, he stood up, walked to the door, and opened it.
Xiang Lian was teasing the unromantic Master Kong and stood up straight when she heard the noise, “Have Young Master Shen and the Little Young Master finished their conversation?”
“Come in.” Shen Qingzhuo motioned for her to come in and then instructed Kong Qianhu, “Go find the proprietress and directly ask her how much she wants to get paid for having a cup of tea with Miss Ying Luo.”
Xiang Lian was surprised and asked, “Young Master Shen hasn’t given up yet?”
“How can this young master be the kind of person who gives up easily?” Shen Qingzhuo smiled slightly. “I will not stop until I see Miss Ying Luo tonight.”
Xiang Lian thought for a moment with a strange look on her face, then said, “Since Young Master Shen has this money, why don’t you leave it to the servant?”
Shen Qingzhuo smiled and said, “I have been waiting for Miss Xiang Lian to say this.”
***
The group followed Xiang Lian’s footsteps and went around in many twists and turns to the backyard.
It turns out that the backyard of Zuixiang Fang is a different world, with a small bridge and flowing water with an ancient charm, red lotuses floating on the water, and bursts of fragrance lingering around the tips of their noses.
After crossing the long bridge, a small house named “Jiang Xuexuan” came into view.
“This is Ying Luo’s residence.” Xiang Lian stopped and said, “The servant will not go in. Young Master Shen, please.”
Shen Qingzhuo bowed and thanked, “Thank you, Miss Xiang Lian.”
At this time, a pretty maid walked out of Jiang Xuexuan and made a gesture.
Xiang Lian explained: “The maids serving Ying Luo are all dumb and can’t speak.”
Shen Qingzhuo and his little disciple looked at each other and followed the little maid into Jiang Xuexuan.
Seeing that both masters had gone in, Kong Shang also hurried to follow them but was stopped by Xiang Lian. “Master Kong, why don’t you just stay out of this?”
Kong Shang was puzzled and asked, “Why?”
“Could it be that Master Kong also admires Miss Ying Luo in his heart?” Xiang Lin looked at him with a raised face and asked with a smile.
“Of course, I—” Kong Shang frowned. “Forget it, I’ll just stay here.”
“That’s right.” Xiang Lian wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief with satisfaction and stood in place with her slender waist twisted, with half of her body leaning against him.
At this time, the master and the disciple had already entered the house. They saw a desk separated by a pearl curtain, through which a graceful figure was faintly revealed.
Shen Qingzhuo said in a clear voice, “I have heard of Miss Ying Luo’s great reputation for a long time. I am taking the liberty to ask for an audience today. I beg your pardon, Miss.”
“Young Master Shen is too polite.” A voice as sweet as the fragrance of orchids in a valley came from behind the pearl curtain: “It is this little girl’s blessing to be favored by Young Master.”
Shen Qingzhuo sat down with his little disciple. After the maid served them tea, she quietly stepped aside.
“Young Master Shen spent a fortune today. What do you want from Ying Luo?” A pleasant voice came from behind the pearl curtain. “Which of the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, or poetry, does Young Master Shen like?”
Shen Qingzhuo had no intention of spying on the top courtesan of Zuixiang Fang, so he went straight to the point and said, “This young master has heard that the people who come and go in Miss Ying Luo’s room are all well-known and important people. So, may I ask Miss Ying Luo if she knows a Young Master’s surname Xiao?”
There was silence behind the pearl curtain for a moment, and Ying Luo tactfully said, “Young Master Shen, according to the rules of Jiang Xuexuan, I am not to reveal the news of the benefactor to anyone.”
Shen Qingzhuo unfolded his jade fan and said slowly, “What this young master wants to buy is neither the song nor the person. Why don’t Miss Ying Luo name a price?”
“Since Young Master Shen has no interest in romantic matters, please go back.” Ying Luo stood up and said in a cold voice, “Xiao Cui, show him away.”
Shen Qingzhuo glanced to the side and gave his little disciple a look.
The next moment, the youth, who had been silent since he entered the room, rushed to the table at lightning speed like a wolf ready to pounce. One hand accurately pierced through the jingling pearl curtain and firmly grasped the neck of the woman behind the curtain.
The little maid in the corner reacted and tried to run out. Shen Qingzhuo immediately shouted, “If you don’t want to die, stop!”
“Xiao Cui!” At the same time, with her vital points controlled, Ying Luo spoke with difficulty, “Close the door…”
That little maidservant was trembling all over, and she closed the door with great effort.
Behind the pearl curtain, Ying Luo was wearing a half-veil, revealing a pair of watery almond-shaped eyes that showed no panic but a hint of surprise.
Xiao Shen’s face was cold, and he gave her a warning look. Then he grabbed her neck and pulled her out of the pearl curtains with one hand, “Behave yourself.”
Shen Qingzhuo closed his eyes slightly, waved his fan, and said, “Xiao Qi, how can you be so rude to such a beauty?”
Xiao Shen frowned. “Is she beautiful?”
“Is she not?” Shen Qingzhuo walked slowly in front of the two people and apologized politely, “Miss Ying Luo, I’m sorry.”
“Young Master Shen, what exactly is your purpose? You might as well tell me clearly.” Ying Luo asked calmly.
Shen Qingzhuo put away the jade fan and asked, “Why does that Young Master Xiao come to see Miss every time?”
Ying Luo frowned, not yet figuring out how to answer.
The hand that was pinching her neck tightened, and Xiao Shen threatened in a low voice, “My master has limited patience.”
“He’s not here to chat over tea, is he?” Shen Qingzhuo’s smile gradually disappeared. “Since I was able to find this place, it means I have something in my hand. Please think about it before answering.”
“Young Master Xiao is indeed a frequent visitor of Jiang Xuexuan.” Ying Luo finally spoke, “He came to me not for pleasure, but to buy the information I have.”
“Information?” Shen Qingzhuo asked after his vague guess was confirmed, “What information?”
Ying Luo replied softly, “The information about those high-ranking officials.”
“It is true.” Shen Qingzhuo tapped the front with his fan, “Xiao Qi, let go of Miss Ying Luo first.”
Xiao Shen let go of his hand as he was told and quickly returned behind him.
“Cough, cough…” Ying Luo’s body suddenly went limp, and she fell weakly to the ground.
His body’s instinct was faster than his brain. Shen Qingzhuo quickly caught her, “Be careful, Miss.”
Ying Luo leaned in his arms, her clear eyes seemed to want to speak but hesitated. “Young Master Shen…”
“Mas, ter!” At this time, a sound of gnashing teeth came from behind.
Shen Qingzhuo’s body trembled, and he quickly put Miss Ying Luo on the chair. Then he turned around and hugged his little disciple, who was so angry that his hair stood on end.
The rich and cold scent of plum blossoms filled his nose, and Xiao Shen was stunned on the spot. At a speed visible to the naked eye, he changed from a bare-toothed wild wolf to a soft and cute puppy.
“Alright, alright, Master will hug you too.” Shen Qingzhuo gently stroked the youth’s thin back and smiled softly. “Or do you want Master to give you a princess hug? Like when you were little?”
Xiao Shen: “……”
The author has something to say:
The Master: Hug my little dog~
The Wolf Cub: Princess hug? Hehe, one day, I will hug Master… [a kind of plant]…
