"Then what dish do you make best?"
Feng Yi smiled bitterly, "It's actually quite a pity... Guess what I make best? Sweet and Sour Ribs! Both the master and madam loved this dish. The master always said my Sweet and Sour Ribs were even better than those made by the chef at Gathered Fragrance Pavilion! But after this incident... I'm afraid everyone in the mansion will avoid this dish for life. The steward won't allow it to be made anymore, what a waste of my skill..."
Seeing Feng Yi's expression as if she had lost something dear, Chu Chu felt equally distressed. "Aunt Feng, don't worry. His Highness is extremely capable in investigating cases. He'll surely uncover the culprit within days!"
"When His Highness catches that villain, you must tell him to punish the criminal severely - he mustn't go easy on him!"
"Alright!"
Xiao Jin Yu's first priority upon returning to the mansion was to bathe. Although he hadn't directly touched the corpse earlier, there was no guarantee he hadn't been contaminated by the decaying aura. After recent consecutive ordeals, his body could no longer withstand any potential risks.
His exhausted body soaked in the slightly hot water, which contained detoxifying powder prescribed by Ye Qian Qiu, completely dissolving his last remnants of strength.
Three years without leaving the capital, and he ended up in this state immediately upon departure... Xiao Jin Yu scooped water over his shoulders, frowning as his hand passed over his bony frame. His gaze fell upon his emaciated body visible through the skin, his face filled with disgust.
Looking like such a ghost, yet that girl actually said he was handsome...
This deathly pale skin - how could it be as delicate as she claimed...
She must be too accustomed to looking at corpses...
Feeling dizzy from the steam, Xiao Jin Yu leaned against the tub and gently closed his eyes, beginning to systematically sort through the threads of several matters at hand.
Xu Ru Gui's mysterious death in prison - if investigation confirmed it wasn't suicide, then those who could enter the Ministry of Justice's death row, kill someone, and escape unscathed could be counted on one hand. Whomever it might be would cause an uproar throughout the court.
The case in Shangyuan County had too few clues. While some existed, they hadn't formed a chain yet. Only by allowing the suspects to return to their most comfortable environments might they reveal substantial flaws.
The case in Sichuan appeared to be revenge killing, but the multiple reported clues seemed deliberately obvious, suggesting hidden circumstances. If mishandled and leading to conflict between two major families, it would take years to settle. Better to send the steady and tactful Zhou Yun.
Then there was the horse caravan case in the northern frontier, which already posed direct threats to border troops - too urgent to delay. Only Leng Yue, currently nearest to the location, could be dispatched.
And then there were matters in Guanzhong, Hubei, Yunnan...
"Your Highness..."
Xiao Jin Yu's thoughts, which had nearly traveled across the entire nation, were called back by increasingly clear calls of "Your Highness." When he opened his eyes, the voice was right outside the door. "Your Highness, are you in there?"
"Hmm..."
Xiao Jin Yu regretted the single syllable before he even finished it.
Even through a door, a screen, and a room full of steam, he could recognize Chu Chu's voice.
It wasn't that he intended to avoid her, but... he wasn't wearing any clothes, and the door wasn't bolted!
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing, just bathing... Wait outside, I'm coming out right away..."Xiao Jin Yu was urgently trying to lift himself out of the bathtub. When he pressed his hands against the tub wall, he realized that the medicinal powder Ye Qian Qiu had given him also had muscle-relaxing properties. For his feverish body, it was no different from a strength-draining agent. After soaking for this long, the medicine had taken effect, and he couldn’t muster any strength at all.
And of all times…
“Are you alone?”
Who else would be with him…? Suppressing a surge of exasperation, Xiao Jin Yu picked up the crutch leaning against the bathtub and replied casually, “Mm…”
Before his voice faded, the door was pushed open with a bang. Startled, Xiao Jin Yu dropped the crutch. The crisp sound of the rosewood hitting the stone floor had barely settled when Chu Chu began to emerge from behind the screen.
In his haste, he found nothing to cover himself with. Desperate, Xiao Jin Yu grabbed a bamboo basket from a nearby low shelf and dumped the entire load of rose petals into the water.
Whether it was the steam from the warm water or the reflection of the thick layer of rose petals floating on the surface, at first glance, Chu Chu thought the skin exposed above the water no longer looked as pale as before. Instead, it resembled tender, freshly grown lotus roots—dewy and pink. His originally sharp and prominent collarbones appeared much softer, and his complexion was rosier, more attractive than she had ever seen.
Standing less than two steps away, Chu Chu stared directly at the part of Xiao Jin Yu’s body above the water and said with genuine sincerity, “Wang Ye, you look really beautiful like this!”
Xiao Jin Yu’s mind buzzed, but he didn’t dare move a muscle, afraid that the slightest motion would disturb the life-saving layer of petals. Even so, he maintained an expression of utter calm, his voice steady and cool. “Did you come in… just to say that?”
“No, no,” Chu Chu’s bright gaze drifted to Xiao Jin Yu’s increasingly flushed face, and she smiled warmly at him. “Your leg isn’t well, and being sick has left you even weaker. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to get out of the tub by yourself, so I came in to help.”
Xiao Jin Yu glanced silently at the crutch lying on the floor. Thanks to her, he really couldn’t get out on his own this time…
Steadying his nerves, he knew that everything else could wait—getting her to leave was the most urgent matter. But based on past experience, shouting at her to go would only invite trouble. So, he tried to sound as nonchalant as possible. “I’d like to soak a little longer. I’ll call you when I’m done…”
“It’s fine,” Chu Chu pulled a wicker stool from the corner and plopped down directly opposite Xiao Jin Yu. “I’ll just watch you here. If the water gets cold, I can add more. And if you accidentally slip under, I can rescue you in time!”
☆、29 Sweet and Sour Ribs (Nine)
She was going to… watch him bathe!
And be ready to fish him out of the water at any moment?!
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