After the Yamen finished their duties for the day, Jiang Feng called over Zhāng Biāo, who had been busy studying human biology in the morgue. Together with Sòng Míngyuǎn and Lǐ Tíng, who had been waiting for some time, the four men headed to Zuixian Tower.
However, this time, none of them were wearing their Buliangren uniforms.
Even so, the procuress at the entrance still recognized them.
"Those cursed Buliangren, they swindled me out of two hundred taels of silver and still have the nerve to come here and sleep with my girls. It is simply too much..." the procuress cursed inwardly, yet on the surface, she still greeted them with a beaming smile.
"Lord Sòng, your arrival truly brings honor to my humble Zuixian Tower."
Sòng Míngyuǎn, dressed in casual attire, stood tall with a gentle smile on his face, a complete departure from the overbearing manner he displayed the day before. "Mama Zhang, I hope it won't be the case again tonight that there are no seats for us, will there?"
Mama Zhang covered her mouth and giggled, "Lord Sòng likes to joke. After what happened yesterday, I gave strict orders; from now on, there will always be a good seat reserved in this building for you. You are welcome to come for a drink whenever you please, my lord."
Sòng Míngyuǎn laughed. "That would be wonderful."
Mama Zhang noticed Jiang Feng behind Sòng Míngyuǎn and asked with a smile, "Young Master Jiang is here. Shall I go and ask Lady Ruyan to come and keep you company?"
Sòng Míngyuǎn, standing beside them, was stunned!
Jiang Feng's lover was actually the star of the Shuyu, Lady Ruyan? Then the things he had said in front of Jiang Feng yesterday... Sòng Míngyuǎn was suddenly so embarrassed he could have curled his toes, feeling almost unable to show his face.
Jiang Feng glanced at the strangely grimacing Sòng Míngyuǎn and said coolly, "No need, Mama Zhang. Just arrange any private courtyard for us will do."
Soon, the procuress led the four men to a courtyard and personally arranged for several young women to accompany them. The waiters of the house also brought out wine and food.
Beside Jiang Feng sat a woman dressed in light attire, her skin as fair as snow. Her courtesan name was Xīnliǔ, and she was a Changsan at Zuixian Tower.
She lifted her wine cup, her lithe figure leaning gently against Jiang Feng's shoulder. The softness of her chest rubbed against his arm, and she asked in a coy, delicate voice:
"Young Master Jiang, I heard that the poems and lyrics in Lady Ruyan's possession were actually all gifts from you. I wonder, is this true?"
Jiang Feng did not turn a hair, remaining calm and composed as he replied, "If Lady Ruyan says they are, then they are."
He turned his head to look at Sòng Míngyuǎn and the others, seeing that apart from Zhāng Biāo, both Sòng Míngyuǎn and Lǐ Tíng were already embracing the women beside them, their hands wandering.
They were clearly two old hands at this.
As for Zhāng Biāo, he was currently focused entirely on the food and wine in front of him, eating and drinking heartily, completely ignoring the beautiful woman beside him. Perhaps, in his eyes, a living woman was not nearly as fascinating as a dead one... Jiang Feng did not know how to evaluate his colleague.
Xīnliǔ gazed at Jiang Feng with tenderness, her breath soft as orchids as she said, "This lowly one wishes to be with you, young master. I ask for nothing else; I only hope you might favor me with a poem as well."
Jiang Feng lifted his wine cup and took a sip. "I have lacked inspiration lately. We shall discuss poetry another day."
Having failed to obtain what she wanted, Xīnliǔ was naturally unwilling to give up so easily. Previously, whenever Jiang Feng visited Zuixian Tower, he went straight to the Mist and Rain Pavilion, giving her no chance to get close. This was a rare opportunity.
If she could snatch this young talented scholar from Ruyan, wouldn't the title of top courtesan in Zuixian Tower belong to her?
Just then, a woman with a lithe figure and delicate features walked into the room. Her brows were finely drawn, her skin fair, and her lips full—she had clearly come only after dressing with great care. She wore a white dress with half-exposed shoulders and a slender neck, a thin pink gauze draped over her bodice, revealing flashes of snow-white skin. She moved with an enchanting, sultry grace.
Her exquisite oval face carried a quiet, refined air, like a reserved and dignified lady of a great house. She seemed to possess two completely contradictory temperaments, yet what was most striking was how they complimented each other, filled with infinite temptation, causing every man and woman in the room to pause simultaneously.
Her gaze swept through the room before resting on Jiang Feng. Her eyes were filled with aggrieved sorrow, laden with unspoken melancholy: "Jiang Lang, since you were coming, why didn't you let me know in advance?"
The address "Jiang Lang" left Sòng Míngyuǎn and the others dumbstruck!
He was actually Lady Ruyan's paramour? Is this the charm of the great scholar Jiang... Lǐ Tíng suddenly felt the woman in his arms became unappealing.
Had they already slept together? Surely they must have! This lad Jiang Feng had actually managed to capture the most beautiful Shuyu in Jiangzhou City. He was truly worthy of being a disciple of Master Xu... Sòng Míngyuǎn felt deeply envious, yet without jealousy.
Zhāng Biāo was merely slightly surprised, thinking to himself that Jiang Feng was truly capable—able to solve cases and proficient in autopsies. No wonder such a beautiful woman would fall for him.
Only Jiang Feng's expression was somewhat unnatural, like a philanderer caught in the act by his wife, feeling full of awkwardness and shame. But upon closer inspection, he realized that he and Lady Ruyan were not actually lovers, and he and this Xīnliǔ girl had done absolutely nothing. What was there to be ashamed of?
Thus, he said calmly, "I invited my colleagues for a drink tonight, so I did not give prior notice. Since you have come, Lady Ruyan, let us have a drink together."
Ruyan nodded faintly, walked over to Jiang Feng, and sat down beside him with seamless, natural grace, completely ignoring Xīnliǔ’s hideous expression.
She poured herself a cup, then raised it towards Sòng Míngyuǎn and the two others, smiling: "On behalf of Jiang Lang, I toast the three lords. Thank you for your care regarding him."
The three men hurriedly raised their glasses in return. "Lady Ruyan is too kind."
Ruyan downed the cup, then affectionately held onto Jiang Feng's arm, saying softly, "Jiang Lang rarely brings friends over to drink. If you three elder brothers do not mind, I would love to perform a dance."
By changing the address to "elder brothers," she not only clarified her relationship with Jiang Feng and staked her claim but also drew herself closer to Sòng Míngyuǎn and the others.
As expected of a social butterfly at Zuixian Tower; she knew just what to say to make people feel comfortable.
Lǐ Tíng’s eyes lit up, and he quickly said, "I have long heard that Lady Ruyan's poetry and dancing are peerless. It is a pity I have never had the chance to see it for myself."
Ruyan playfully stuck out her tongue, laughing mischievously, "Elder brother, you flatter me. Actually, what do I know of poetry? All those poems from before were gifts from Jiang Lang in private."
Sure enough, the poems in Ruyan's possession were all from Young Master Jiang. No, I must find a way to win this man over... Xīnliǔ made a secret vow to herself.
She was just about to say something when Ruyan unexpectedly turned towards her, smiling sweetly, "I must trouble you, little sister, to beat the drum for me."
Xīnliǔ felt as sickened as if she had swallowed a fly. In such a situation, could she possibly refuse?
Therefore, even though she was extremely reluctant, she kept a smile on her face. "It is my honor to be of service, elder sister."
Jiang Feng looked at Ruyan, knowing clearly that she was doing this to help him.
Seeing Ruyan about to rise, he hurriedly gripped her soft hand, whispering, "Actually, you need not..."
Before he could finish, a finger from Ruyan gently pressed against his lips.
Ruyan looked at him with tender love and said softly, "Jiang Lang, this is the only thing I can do for you."
Her gaze was complex, filled with deep love mixed with other unidentifiable emotions.
Afterward, Ruyan walked to the middle of the room and began her dance.
Sòng Míngyuǎn and Lǐ Tíng were mesmerized, while Jiang Feng watched the woman dancing with complicated emotions. To be honest, this was also his first time seeing Ruyan dance; in the past, they had only ever engaged in discussing poetry over drinks.
As for Zhāng Biāo... he just kept eating with even greater enthusiasm.
Soon, the song ended, and Ruyan’s graceful figure came to a stop.
Sòng Míngyuǎn and Lǐ Tíng began to applaud enthusiastically, praising Lady Ruyan’s performance and agreeing that the trip had been well worth it.
Because they had to report for duty the next day, none of them chose to stay the night.
On the way back, Sòng Míngyuǎn looked at Jiang Feng with envy. "Brother Jiang, with a confidante like Lady Ruyan, no wonder you have no eyes for other women."
Lǐ Tíng joined in at this point. "Jiang Feng, can you tell me how you managed to hook Lady Ruyan?"
Once men have shared a night of debauchery, their relationship becomes as close as brothers, and their speech becomes far more casual.
Jiang Feng felt a bit annoyed. "The word 'hook' is far too vulgar! Besides, Lady Ruyan and I share a bond through poetry. How can you cast aspersions on people's character, Brother Lǐ?"
Lǐ Tíng clearly did not believe him. "You mean to tell me that when you were alone together in a room, you did nothing but discuss poetry?"
"That is exactly the case."
"Ha, and you think I believe that?"
Jiang Feng knew it was hard to believe—it was like being in bed with someone and claiming you were just there to study a foreign language...
Lǐ Tíng’s eyes said it all, as if asking: are you trying to be a beast, or something less than one?
Jiang Feng felt he had to explain. "My father once told me that one who wishes to achieve greatness in martial arts must not lose their virginity too early."
The others were enlightened, and they cast looks of admiration toward Jiang Feng.
Sòng Míngyuǎn asked himself, if a woman like Ruyan were truly smitten with him, he might not be able to hold back.
But Lǐ Tíng was even more confused. "If you didn't sleep together, how could Lady Ruyan be like that towards you? Could there be some secret technique?"
Jiang Feng put on a mysterious front and responded with a smile.
Lǐ Tíng realized there must be some sort of inside secret, which left him itching with curiosity. "If you are willing to teach me this technique, I can custom-make a set of concealed weapons for you to defend yourself, free of extra charge!"
Jiang Feng had intended to refuse, but upon hearing the latter part, his tone changed immediately. "Actually, there is indeed a secret to this matter."
Lǐ Tíng asked eagerly, "What is the secret? Tell me, quickly!"
Sòng Míngyuǎn looked over in curiosity as well.
Jiang Feng coughed lightly and whispered mysteriously, "The secret is... Lord Xiao!"
Lǐ Tíng froze for a moment. "The secret is Lord Xiao? Does Lord Xiao help you chase women? What kind of logic is that?! Jiang Feng, explain yourself! How did Lord Xiao help you win over Lady Ruyan..."
But when he turned around, he saw their cold, high-ranking female superior standing right behind him, so he immediately bowed and performed a hand salute. "This subordinate greets Lord Xiao."
Xiāo Língxuě’s gaze was icy, her voice cold. "The Magistrate Zhang case has not been solved yet, and you have the leisure to go out drinking? Sòng Míngyuǎn, is this how you lead your team?"
Sòng Míngyuǎn lowered his head, a wry smile on his face. "This subordinate acknowledges his mistake."
Jiang Feng quickly explained, "My lord, you have misunderstood. I was the one who asked to treat my three colleagues to a drink; it has nothing to do with them."
Xiāo Língxuě turned around, seemingly uninterested in his explanation. "I have no say in your private lives after leaving the Yamen. However, if the case is delayed because of this, I will punish you severely and show no mercy!"
"Yes!" the four men answered, bowing honestly, yet each felt somewhat bewildered.
*Swish.*
A faint sound of breaking air came, and when the four recovered, they found that Xiāo Língxuě had already used her Qinggong to depart.
The four released a long sigh of relief simultaneously.
"I don't know why, but I feel Lord Xiao was especially terrifying tonight," Lǐ Tíng said, still shaken.
Zhāng Biāo scratched his head. "I don't think there's any difference. Isn't Lord Xiao usually this strict?"
Sòng Míngyuǎn looked at Jiang Feng, lost in thought.
At that moment, a falcon suddenly descended from the sky and landed steadily on Sòng Míngyuǎn's shoulder.
Sòng Míngyuǎn took off the small bamboo tube from the falcon's leg and pulled out a note.
The next instant, he was struck by a jolt of shock, as if a basin of ice water had been poured over him. His slightly tipsy state vanished completely.
He quickly turned to look at the others. "Quick! We must return to the Yamen immediately! Something big has happened!"