Though in a hurry to descend the mountain, Jiu Yue didn’t forget to fabricate an identity for herself.
She was pondering the specifics… yet after waiting the entire way, Song Shu behind her didn’t ask a single question.
Jiu Yue: “……?”
This guy’s really carefree.
As expected of a ninja.
Jiu Yue felt a surge of respect. Adhering to the principle of "if he doesn’t ask, she won’t tell," she also stayed silent.
Only when they reached the vicinity of the crabapple tree again did Jiu Yue stop and turn to ask him, “Where’s your home?”
Song Shu looked up at the tree and finally spoke, “You were lying on this earlier.”
Jiu Yue: “?”
Though she hadn’t deliberately concealed herself, the dense foliage and vibrant blossoms made it unlikely for anyone to scrutinize the tree closely, let alone spot someone hidden within. Hearing Song Shu’s words, Jiu Yue was genuinely surprised.
“So you saw me.” She showed no guilt.
She was bound to appear before Song Shu sooner or later anyway.
Song Shu chuckled. “You’re like these flowers.”
Too full of life to go unnoticed.
Jiu Yue, however, misinterpreted his meaning and grew slightly embarrassed. “Am I really that pretty?”
Qiu Dongfang had even claimed that Song Lan would never fancy someone like her.
Song Shu froze, then hastily added, “I didn’t mean to offend you—”
“No worries, no offense taken. Who doesn’t like a compliment?” Jiu Yue grinned, a little smug, before remembering her task. “Where’s your home? I’ll take you back first—your injuries need treatment ASAP.”
Of course, she already knew the location of Song Shu’s cottage.
But she couldn’t let that show in front of him.
Song Shu, realizing he was still being carried by a woman, quickly gave directions to his humble abode. Jiu Yue swiftly delivered him there.
“With your leg like this, you should stay indoors these next few days.” Jiu Yue crossed her arms, studying him and his surroundings. “Do you live alone? No one to look after you?”
Song Shu hurriedly expressed his gratitude. “Thank you for your kindness… Y-yes, but they usually return at night. I appreciate your concern.”
Jiu Yue nodded. “Alright then, I’ll take my leave.”
Song Shu watched her go, not moving until her figure had completely vanished from sight. Only then did he sigh and glance down at his leg.
Blood had soaked through his shoe and sock. By the time he painstakingly removed them, three guards had materialized behind him.
“Young Master… that woman seems suspicious,” one ventured.
Song Shu’s gaze turned icy, though his lips curled into a mocking smile. “How suspicious? That she wanted to harm me? She could’ve done so on the mountain—why carry me down first?”
The guard fell silent.
Song Shu pressed his lips together, ignoring them. When he looked back at his wound, his expression darkened further.
Another guard noticed something amiss. “Young Master, you’ve been poisoned!”
Now that the shoe and sock were off, Song Shu could clearly see the injury—unlike previous wounds, this one oozed black blood.
“It must be those unreasonable villagers—” a guard fumed.
But Song Shu remained calm.
“Let it be,” he said. “Pretend we don’t know.”
This was retribution. He deserved it.
……
Jiu Yue had long noticed the three lurking in the shadows. She’d initially wondered how Song Lan, the esteemed prefect, could possibly let his only son venture into such a place to offer free medical treatment.
Had there been a few more unreasonable brutes like that afternoon, Song Shu might’ve been beaten to death in this backwater.
Then she’d spotted the trio hidden near Song Shu’s residence.
That made sense.
Having protection was only logical.
After discreetly returning to her inn in town, she found Qiu Dongfang waiting—perched on the rafters, as expected.
“Well?” He dropped down the moment she shut the door.
Jiu Yue perched on a stool and recounted the afternoon’s events in detail.
Then she asked, “I didn’t seem too obvious, right?”
Qiu Dongfang’s expression was complicated. “Hard to say… I don’t think Song Shu comparing you to the flowers was about your looks.”
Jiu Yue paused. “Am I not pretty?”
Original skin forever reigns supreme!
Qiu Dongfang’s eye twitched. “That’s not what I meant—it’s not about beauty. I think it’s because you stood out too much compared to the villagers, so Song Shu noticed you.”
Jiu Yue stroked her chin. “Then if I go see him again, won’t it seem too deliberate?”
Qiu Dongfang nodded. After a moment’s thought, he said, “Here’s what we’ll do. You head to Yunjiang for a few days, posing as a sightseeing traveler. I’ll keep an eye on Song Shu.”
Their ultimate target was Song Lan, after all.
Jiu Yue agreed.
Fine—she’d scout ahead, just in case.
Compared to the fishing village, Yunjiang was far more bustling.
Spring here never fades—a Jiangnan tucked into the north.
Along the way, Jiu Yue encountered countless scholars who spent their days on boats, composing poetry and painting landscapes, extolling mountains and rivers between sips of wine, sighing “How sublime!”
Jiu Yue: “……”
It nearly made her double over laughing.
Yunjiang’s city was crisscrossed with canals, veins threading through the urban body—boats everywhere, bridges galore, and endless riverside activities.
Yet the people wore no expressions of happiness.
It wasn’t hard to guess why: an incompetent prefect and salt merchants lining their pockets with dirty money.
On impulse, Jiu Yue headed for the dock Qiu Dongfang had pointed out earlier.
Dusk hadn’t fully fallen. Dockworkers hauled cargo while others unloaded shipments nearby.
Jiu Yue crept closer, investigating both groups.
The boats leaving Yunjiang carried salt; those arriving brought rice and flour.
A single trip meant profits from both salt and grain sales. And if the merchants colluded with officials to evade steep salt taxes… the profits were astronomical.
Jiu Yue clicked her tongue silently, cursing the unscrupulous profiteers. As she prepared to slip away, she caught snippets of conversation.
“The Prefect’s fortieth birthday? Should be a grand celebration—”
“You know how Master Song dislikes extravagance… I say we just send him discreet gifts.”
“I recently acquired premium tea leaves in the capital!”
“I’ll pick out some jewelry then…”
“Didn’t someone gift him a concubine last time? Maybe I should find one too.”
“I heard Hongxiang Lou just brought in a new troupe of dancers—still untouched. You might get lucky there.”
“Good idea…”
The voices faded.
Jiu Yue memorized “Hongxiang Lou” and immediately began discreet inquiries around town.
She’d assumed it was a brothel like the capital’s Misty Rain Pavilion, but learned it operated differently.
Its performers sold art, not flesh. Those who caused trouble died quietly—clearly, Hongxiang Lou had powerful backers.
If you fancied someone, you had to buy their freedom.
And Hongxiang Lou didn’t just house women—men too.
Profiting off both genders!
Jiu Yue had already infiltrated the interior of the Red Fragrance Pavilion. As night fell, the sound of flutes and songs filled the air, and the place buzzed with lively energy.
After observing for roughly an hour, Jiu Yue finally tracked down the whereabouts of the newly arrived dancing girls... But when she slipped into their chamber, the sight before her left her utterly stunned.
Child... child laborers?!
