Chapter 39: Yan Shuzhu Comes Knocking Again

Shi Sheng had always loathed evil with a passion.

What he could least tolerate in this world were scumbags who relied on their status to commit atrocities—though petty scumbags were still scumbags nonetheless.

"Let's go!"

Seeing that the matter had been settled, Ye Liuyun directly led Si Nan and Shi Sheng away.

He didn't even harbor the slightest intention of helping the deceased find a final resting place.

***

When Ye Liuyun returned home, the estate remained entirely undisturbed.

That was to be expected, of course. After all, Lu Quan had once been a high-ranking official of the third rank; his sudden and abrupt demise naturally warranted an immediate suppression of the news.

As for Sheng Lanzhi, it would likely take her some time yet before she learned of her father's death.

Should he go and give her a heads-up?

"Is the master troubled by something?"

Just as Ye Liuyun was lost in thought, the curious voice of the maid Chun'er drifted over from nearby.

"It's nothing." Recovering his wits, Ye Liuyun shook his head.

Forget it. Ever since he had assumed the identity of Ye Liufeng and entered this mansion, he hadn't even laid eyes on that eldest sister-in-law of his.

It was better to keep it that way.

In any case, it wouldn't be long before she discovered the news on her own.

"Have someone prepare a tub of hot water; I wish to bathe first!"

"Yes, Master!"

Seeing Ye Liuyun issue this command, Chun'er naturally raised no objections, nodding obediently instead.

***

By the following day.

Lu Quan failed to report for roll call, yet his absence caused no great ripples within the Brocade Guard.

Given his status as a hundred-man commander, no one would think twice even if he skipped roll call for a few days.

However.

Since he hadn't bothered to conceal the body when he struck down Lu Quan yesterday, it would probably be discovered by someone before long.

Still, it hardly mattered.

As early as the moment he made his move, Ye Liuyun had already mentally prepared himself for such an outcome.

In the afternoon, Ye Liuyun led Shi Sheng and Si Nan to patrol the streets within the Imperial City. Ordinarily, whenever there were no active cases within the Brocade Guard, personnel would be dispatched to patrol the capital.

This was to ensure the safety and security of the Imperial City.

"It's you?"

Scarcely had they walked for a short while when Ye Liuyun spotted Lu Lan waiting for them ahead.

Judging by the posture, she was undoubtedly waiting specifically for him.

"Do not misunderstand, Commander Ye!"

***

Compared to their previous encounters, Lu Lan's current attitude was surprisingly and exceptionally much friendlier.

Perhaps she had concluded that Ye Liuyun was a rather fine man after all, which explained such a dramatic shift in demeanor.

Fearing that Ye Liuyun might harbor any suspicions, Lu Lan hastily offered an explanation.

"My young master harbors no ulterior motives; he simply wishes to invite Commander Ye for a drink of wine. Rest assured, Commander Ye, if you have pressing matters to attend to, we shall certainly not intrude!"

Yan Shuzhu truly understood the art of courting talent and treating scholars with respect, displaying an exceptional level of patience.

"..."

Even Ye Liuyun was somewhat taken aback. Had this person been completely won over?

Oh well, with nothing better to do on either side, since someone else was paying for the drinks, it would be foolish not to go.

"Since you've put it that way, if I were to refuse again, it would appear rather unappreciative. Rest assured, I shall accept the invitation this evening."

Seeing Ye Liuyun agree, Lu Lan could not help breaking into a smile.

After exchanging a few more polite pleasantries, Lu Lan took her leave.

"Are we going to have free drinks again tonight?"

Having remained silent until now, Shi Sheng watched Lu Lan depart before turning around with a look of eager excitement.

Having spent a considerable amount of time together and grown quite familiar with one another, Si Nan would now instinctively retort whenever Shi Sheng spoke.

"The invitation is for our Commander. What does that have to do with you?"

"Don't pretend you don't want to go."

Casting a sideways, exasperated glance at Si Nan, Shi Sheng scoffed.

Instead of hiding behind polite logic, one might as well just admit whether or not they wanted to go.

"Hehe!"

Chuckling cheerfully, Shi Sheng resolutely turned his gaze toward Ye Liuyun.

Whether they could go ultimately depended entirely on Ye Liuyun's attitude.

"If you want to go, you can come along!"

Since someone else was footing the bill, Ye Liuyun didn't see any harm in such a minor diversion anyway.

"Hehe, many thanks, Commander!"

Receiving an affirmative response from Ye Liuyun, both Si Nan and Shi Sheng smiled happily.

***

In the evening, after changing out of his official uniform, Ye Liuyun prepared to head toward the Ministry of Rites Pleasure District (Jiaofang Si).

No matter the occasion, the Pleasure District was always exceptionally lively.

"Brother Ye!"

Scarcely had he stepped inside when Ye Liuyun heard a familiar call echoing from the second floor.

At that moment, Yan Shuzhu was seated within a private second-floor room, waving at Ye Liuyun and his companions as they entered—still dressed in male disguise.

However, since the other party evidently preferred dressing as a man, Ye Liuyun saw no need to intentionally expose the ruse.

"This wine is truly magnificent!"

***

No sooner had he taken his seat than Shi Sheng poured himself a cup of wine.

There was a reason expensive things were costly; the wine served in the Pleasure District was an entirely different world compared to what was sold outside.

"Don't be so selfish; pour me a cup as well."

Si Nan immediately pushed his cup forward.

Having poured only half a cup, Shi Sheng realized something and shoved the entire flagon directly in front of Si Nan.

"Pour it yourself. Don't tell me you expect me to serve you."

As if he were Si Nan's personal underling.

"Hmph!"

Casting an annoyed glance at Shi Sheng, Si Nan couldn't be bothered to argue further, gracefully pouring a cup for Ye Liuyun instead.

After they had downed a few cups, Yan Shuzhu spoke up with familiar warmth toward Ye Liuyun.

"It has been quite a while, yet Brother Ye remains as dashing and spirited as ever."

"You flatter me, Young Master Yan."

Holding his wine cup and smiling indifferently, Ye Liuyun knew such polite pleasantries were only meant to be heard and dismissed.

"Since Young Master Yan has extended invitations repeatedly, perhaps you could finally state the true purpose behind them. Otherwise, I will remain quite uneasy in my heart."

Even though he could clearly perceive that the other party intended to recruit him.

To be frank, however, Ye Liuyun was not impulsive enough to pledge allegiance to someone who dared not even reveal their true identity—even if this Yan Shuzhu did not appear to be a heinous villain.

"Brother Ye is a straightforward man, so I shall dispense with coyness and concealment. I wish to ask for Brother Ye's assistance!"

Hearing these words.

Both Si Nan and Shi Sheng paused in their drinking. Exchanging a glance, they tacitly set down their cups and turned their gazes simultaneously toward Ye Liuyun.

It was an expected answer, and Ye Liuyun felt no surprise, merely finding it slightly amusing.

"Help whom?"

"Naturally, to help me?" Yan Shuzhu looked somewhat perplexed, as if wondering whether she had failed to make herself clear.

"And who might you be?"

At this, a subtle, intriguing smile curved the corners of Ye Liuyun's lips.

Setting down his wine cup, he leaned forward slightly and looked straight into the eyes of Yan Shuzhu.

"To be honest with you, I was born with an exceptionally keen sense of smell, possessing a natural perception of scents. Though your disguise is quite admirable, the distinct scent separating a man from a woman is something you simply cannot mask."

"I don't even know who you are, yet you expect me to assist you. How am I to know whether you are enlisting my help to stage a rebellion and usurp the throne?"

At present, Ye Liuyun only knew that the person before him belonged to the imperial household.

Everything else remained a complete mystery.

You expect me to help you based on nothing more than a few empty words?