Chapter Ninety-Four: The Most Unexpected Discovery

Yingying strode briskly toward the pavilion over the water at the center of the lake. From the ease with which she moved, it was clear this was far from her first visit.

This was an unexpected gain. It meant that Yingying was no brothel woman at all, and that she could come and go from this place as she pleased, which gave Jiang Chen an opening to exploit.

Today was not the day for reckless action. Jiang Chen knew that as long as he held onto the thread of Yingying, it would not be difficult to return here again.

After leaving that heavily guarded place unharmed, Jiang Chen decided to go back to the Drunken Life Tower that night. He wanted to meet this somewhat mysterious Miss Yingying for himself.

By now, it was not only Yingying's dealings with the Ministry of Justice that seemed strange. Thinking of the room she had at the Drunken Life Tower, conveniently positioned to keep an eye on every move in the gambling house next door, only deepened his suspicions.

And then there was the baffling fire from the night before. All of it left Jiang Chen full of curiosity about Yingying's identity and conduct.

Everything felt far too coincidental. Behind every event there had to be a plausible explanation, and Jiang Chen resolved to uncover it.

Even after nightfall, Jinyang City remained ablaze with lantern light and splendor. Duanmu Qing dragged Wu Yue out to the night market, likely the liveliest in the entire kingdom. For the two girls, it was the first time they had felt the singular charm that belonged only to the royal capital.

“We’ve been in Jinyang City for a while now, and today is the happiest day I’ve had,” Duanmu Qing said, linking arms with Wu Yue as the two of them made their cheerful way home.

Though they had not known each other long and their temperaments were vastly different, their bond was quickly drawn close by the fact that Duanmu Hongtu and Wu Kuishan had once been comrades who trusted each other with their lives, and that both men had died within roughly the same period.

In fact, if old Wu had not left Qishan back then, Duanmu Hongtu should have long since yielded the position of commander to him. That alone showed how deep their friendship had been, and how extraordinary old Wu's standing in the army truly was.

Wu Yue was in good spirits. Old Wu's death had dealt her a heavy blow, but with Jiang Chen's companionship and encouragement, she had gradually made up her mind to live well and to do her utmost, so that old Wu might rest easy in the underworld.

For Wu Yue, a country girl who had spent nineteen years in a small mountain town, everything in the royal capital was strange and fresh. Aside from being busy every day with the breakfast shop, she truly needed outings like today's.

At present, they needed only to leave this alley, turn a corner, and they would reach Willow Lane. But just then, a carriage suddenly appeared at the alley entrance, blocking their way.

The alley was narrow to begin with, so a carriage parked crosswise at the exit made no sense at all.

Duanmu Qing immediately sensed danger. She pulled Wu Yue behind her and said, “Girl, stay close to me.”

Because of the carriage, only a tiny gap remained for passage. Duanmu Qing watched the surroundings with wary eyes. Having grown up in the Qishan military camp, she was already a remarkably capable fighter.

No matter what happened next, she was confident she could keep Wu Yue safe. So her choice was to press forward, rather than turn back and seek another way out.

For if someone truly meant to make trouble, retreating would be no wise choice. That was the proud backbone of the children of Qishan.

“W-What... is going on?” Wu Yue did not understand the situation, but she could sense the change in Duanmu Qing's expression.

“It's all right. I’ll protect you, just as Jiang Chen protects you. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

The two women drew closer and closer to the carriage, and then the curtain was lifted. Yu Yuanliang's greasy, leering face appeared, no matter how one looked at it, full of ill intent.

“It's getting late. Where are the two of you headed? Though we stand beneath the imperial city, danger can still strike at any time. Why not let me take you home?”

Yu Yuanliang sat in the carriage and clasped his hands in a polite salute, imagining himself a refined gentleman. Yet in Duanmu Qing's and Wu Yue's eyes, he was plainly just a wanton young libertine with evil designs.

“In my view, this place was perfectly safe until you showed up.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Duanmu Qing noted that seven servants had come with the carriage, blocking every direction at the alley exit. It was plain enough that they were here to cause trouble on purpose.

Yu Yuanliang stepped down from the carriage and simply laid bare his identity.

With brazen arrogance, he said, “My father is the Vice Minister of Justice. For the two ladies to run into me is as safe as can be. Rest assured, I only want to invite you into my carriage and escort you home along the way.”

Duanmu Qing could only find such a ridiculous excuse laughable.

Did she still not know what he had in mind? If Wu Yue had not been there, by her nature she would probably have acted after no more than three sentences.

Still, Duanmu Qing felt it best to endure for a while and make sure Wu Yue got home safely first.

Just as she took Wu Yue's hand and turned to leave, Yu Yuanliang remained obstinately in their path, even reaching out with his hands in a somewhat impertinent manner.

Duanmu Qing shot him a glare and warned, “I advise you not to do that. My temper is not especially good, and I may well do something that will give you a great deal of pain.”

Yu Yuanliang turned to glance at his men, then laughed with complete impunity. “Oh? I rather like a fiery girl like you. I've long since grown tired of those powdered hussies who obey me at every turn.”

“To tell the truth, I’ve taken a fancy to you. For humble girls of your sort, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If you come with me today, I guarantee you’ll enjoy benefits you could never savor in several lifetimes.”

“Isn’t that far more comfortable than laboring every day to sell breakfast?”

Yu Yuanliang thought he had offered irresistible terms, never realizing that such words were nothing less than naked humiliation, especially to Duanmu Qing.

“What do you take us for!”

Wu Yue was furious. She had not the slightest fondness for Yu Yuanliang and found him a thoroughly obnoxious young master, always wearing that self-important expression.

His manner was much like Shi Guangjun's. What she did not know was that Yu Yuanliang and Shi Guangjun were both cut from the same cloth.

“If you still won’t get out of the way, don’t blame me for being rude.”

Duanmu Qing issued her final warning. If Yu Yuanliang still insisted on blocking their path, then he had better not expect an easy day.

“Ha ha ha, girl, what can you do to me? No need to put on a brave face and try to scare me. What have I got to fear?”

Yu Yuanliang mocked Duanmu Qing's warning without restraint, and his behavior brought her patience to its limit.

“Then don’t blame me if I strike too hard.”

The words had scarcely fallen when a sharp crack rang out, and Yu Yuanliang's pig-like screams tore through the entire alley.