Сhарtеr 227: Тhe Fragranсе Paviliоn
It was neаrlу dusk whеn thе grоuр finally rеturned to the yamen.
Nо sоonеr had Zhu Yаn stеррed insidе thаn shе wаs еagеr to see Раn Chi. "Аfter waiting so lоng, he must be аnxious. I’ll hеаd оut first—dоn’t wаit fоr mе for dinner."
Аftеr annоunсing hеr deрarturе, Zhu Yаn was abоut tо leаve when Shen Du grаbbed her arm. "Sinсе this mаtter сoncerns thе саse, it’s аlsо mу rеsроnsibility. I’ll асcоmpаny yоu."
"..." Zhu Yan wаs sреeсhlеss. Just аs shе was about tо argue, Mo Qianzhi sрoke up frоm behind. "Greаt Pаviliоn Cоmmander, during our inspection, we reviewed the troop rotation arrangements for the Yingzhou garrison. Since there’s still time, perhaps we should discuss this now..."
"No time," Shen Du coldly interrupted before Mo Qianzhi could finish, tightening his grip on Zhu Yan’s hand.
As he prepared to leave with Zhu Yan, Mo Qianzhi quickly added, "Great Pavilion Commander, matters should be prioritized by urgency. Military affairs cannot be delayed any further. Since the Half-Faced Ghost case is being handled by Lady Shen, I implore you to discuss the troop rotation with me."
"I have important business to attend to now. Can’t we discuss this another day, Lord Mo?" Shen Du sounded impatient.
But Mo Qianzhi persisted:
"Great Pavilion Commander, Lady Shen holds an official position and is adept at handling investigations. Yet you insist on accompanying her—if not because you doubt her abilities, then surely because you cannot bear to part from her. If this delays the Yingzhou troop rotation, it would betray the court’s expectations. I urge you to reconsider."
Mo Qianzhi’s words were skillfully crafted, using the Empress’s authority to pressure Shen Du while implying that Shen Du was neglecting his duties due to infatuation.
Zhu Yan immediately sensed the impropriety and quickly grabbed Shen Du’s arm to dissuade him. "Alright, alright. You should stay and discuss the troop rotation with Lord Mo. If there are any new developments in the case, I’ll share them with you when I return."
Zhu Yan spoke earnestly, but Shen Du showed no intention of letting her go.
His brows furrowed, his deep eyes filled with gloom and displeasure. He didn’t know whether there would be progress in the case, but he knew that if he let Zhu Yan and Pan Chi meet alone, he would deeply regret it.
After a moment of hesitation, just as he was about to refuse Mo Qianzhi again, Zhu Yan added, "Pan Chi and I will be at the Guest’s Abode. If you’re truly worried, you can come find me after discussing official matters with Lord Mo."
Hearing this, Shen Du slowly released her hand. After all, official duties were important, and personal matters had to be set aside.
Seeing Shen Du agree, Zhu Yan turned and left without a second thought.
Watching her hurried departure, Shen Du clenched his fist. When would this woman ever focus her attention entirely on him?
By the time Zhu Yan arrived, Pan Chi had been waiting at the Guest’s Abode for quite some time.
Seeing Zhu Yan approach, he quickly stood up to greet her. Thinking Pan Chi intended to dine there, Zhu Yan hadn’t even ordered food when Pan Chi looked at her mysteriously and said, "Change your clothes. We’re going somewhere."
"Where?" Zhu Yan was reluctant, as she hadn’t eaten dinner after being busy all day and was quite hungry.
"You’ll know when we get there," Pan Chi remained mysterious, pushing Zhu Yan into a side room where clothes had already been prepared for her.Zhu Yan opened it to find another set of men's clothing. What was this for? Hadn't she already dressed as a man enough today?
Just as she was about to ask Pan Chi for the reason, she swallowed her words. Pan Chi was not a reckless person; his plans surely had their own logic.
However, when Zhu Yan changed clothes and rushed with Pan Chi to the next location, she was stunned.
Xiu Xiang Pavilion—the most famous Blue Pavilion in Yingzhou.
"A Blue Pavilion!" Zhu Yan's jaw nearly dropped to the ground. "Why are you bringing me to such a place?"
"Naturally, because I've found a lead," Pan Chi said with a meaningful look before leading the way inside. Zhu Yan had no time to think further and quickly followed.
Since Pan Chi was a familiar face here, the madam had already arranged a fine guest room for them and brought in Xiu Xiang Pavilion's top courtesan, Xiuxiu, to accompany them.
Zhu Yan's facial muscles twitched. Pan Chi truly had great influence—even in a place like this, he had acquaintances.
But at the moment, she couldn't care less. She was utterly famished, and upon seeing the table of food in the room, she completely lost control, picking up her chopsticks and shoveling food into her mouth.
"The guests haven't even all arrived yet. Are you that hungry?" Pan Chi couldn't help but chuckle at Zhu Yan's appearance. He had specifically requested the top courtesan here, yet Zhu Yan showed no interest in her whatsoever, instead helping herself unceremoniously to the table of food.
"I've been busy all day and haven't even had a sip of tea. I'm practically starving," Zhu Yan quickly swallowed the food in her mouth, took a sip of tea, and looked at Pan Chi. "You're truly impressive. You have acquaintances everywhere. I suppose you're a regular here too?"
Hearing this, Pan Chi hurriedly explained, "I am a gentleman. Don't think so poorly of me. I come here only to investigate cases, nothing else."
Seeing Pan Chi's earnest expression, Zhu Yan couldn't help but smile lightly. After taking a few more bites, she furrowed her brows and said:
"Since this Xiuxiu is the top courtesan, she must be very beautiful. I'd like to see for myself how the stunning beauties of Gannan Circuit differ from those in Chang'an."
Hearing Zhu Yan say this, Pan Chi narrowed his eyes slightly. If they were talking about beauties, the one before him was truly unparalleled.
"Lotus flowers pale before a lady's grace,
The breeze brings fragrance from her pearl-adorned place."
Pan Chi unconsciously recited a poem, and as his words fell, another voice chimed in, "In the gentleman's poem, the autumn breeze is gentle, and the lotus flowers are fragrant, describing a woman of astonishing beauty, like a lotus bud about to bloom. Even the dew-kissed lotus cannot compare to the beauty before you, and the fragrance carried by the breeze is more delicate than that of the lotus. I wonder, to whom is the gentleman's heartfelt sentiment directed?"
As these words were spoken, Pan Chi looked meaningfully at Zhu Yan beside him.
Zhu Yan was clearly startled, her eyes wide open, the food in her mouth not yet swallowed as she stared blankly at the newcomer.
"A beauty dances like a swirling lotus, a sight unseen by mortal eyes..."
Zhu Yan quickly swallowed the food in her mouth and showered the woman before her with praise.
The top courtesan of Xiu Xiang Pavilion truly lived up to her reputation. Her brows were like painted ink, her nose straight, and her lips delicate. In her every gesture, she carried the poise of a well-bred lady, and she was also well-read, able to interpret Pan Chi's poem with understanding.
She could indeed be considered a rare and remarkable woman...Pan Chi's poem was undoubtedly crafted to praise the beauty before him.
When Xiuxiu questioned him, Pan Chi's expression grew noticeably uneasy. He lowered his gaze with a faint smile and replied, "To whom it is dedicated matters little. What truly matters is that the beauty before me fails to grasp its meaning."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yan felt even more convinced of her suspicion—Pan Chi had composed this poem to flatter the courtesan before him.
But as a celebrated courtesan, how could she be so easily won over?
Inwardly, Zhu Yan felt a pang of pity for Pan Chi. It was clear at a glance that Xiuxiu was not someone ordinary men could easily sway. Though Pan Chi was a handsome and talented scion of a wealthy family, he would still need to put in the right effort to win her favor.
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