Chapter 45: Offering Oneself into Another’s Embrace

Chapter 45: Offering Oneself into Another's Embrace

In Red Sleeves' heart, a sense of unease stirred. She was uncertain what Fang Mingyan suspected her of, what else she needed to investigate, and how she could alleviate his suspicions.

Yet, Red Sleeves could only feign magnanimity. "Of course. Since you've traveled a great distance, I assume you haven't had dinner yet. I'll have my servants prepare it immediately. After the meal, you can rest."

Fang Mingyan accepted the offer with pleasure. He had confidence in himself; he refused to believe that a mere Cui Zhuxuan would dare to harm someone from the Criminal Investigation Department.

Soon, a table filled with dishes was prepared by the servants, and the three of them began their meal without hesitation.

The food at Cui Zhuxuan was rather light and not quite to Jiang Yunxin's taste, but it was exquisitely crafted. Eating less at night was beneficial anyway.

After the meal, Red Sleeves arranged separate guest rooms for the trio in an isolated courtyard. Three rooms stood side by side.

Fang Mingyan instructed Jiang Yunxin, who was not skilled in martial arts, to stay in the middle room while he and Long Qiao took one room each on either side. This way, they could promptly detect any approachers during the night.

However, there was no rush to sleep. The three of them gathered for a small meeting to discuss their plans.

Upon hearing Fang Mingyan mention staying the night, Long Qiao knew he had ulterior motives. Otherwise, Fang Mingyan wouldn't willingly spend the night in such a place.

Though night had fallen, the trio was not afraid of encountering villains along the way. There was no harm in hurrying back immediately.

Jiang Yunxin spoke first, "Your Excellency, are you thinking of investigating that dress?"

"Indeed." Fang Mingyan approved. A quick-witted subordinate was always pleasing to the eye.

He had indeed heard of Hongxiu's fame before, exaggerated to be unparalleled on earth and above. However, after today's encounter, he found her to be nothing more than ordinary. In fact, she did not even give him as much comfort as Jiang Yunxin did.

People's appearances reflected their hearts. Jiang Yunxin's liveliness and radiance made her seem far superior to Hongxiu, who maintained an air of decorum at all times.

Jiang Yunxin continued, "Then why not investigate directly? Just tell Hongxiu that we're checking her clothes, one by one. Would she dare refuse?"

Even if she refused, could Cui Zhuxuan hide any skilled martial artists? Fang Mingyan was not intimidated by brute force.

"But she wouldn't dare refuse openly," Fang Mingyan explained. "Cui Zhuxuan is vast. We don't know if her clothes are in her room, if she has only one room, or even if that dress truly belongs to her. Once you start the investigation and she senses something amiss, she might tamper with it, and the dress could vanish without a trace."

People were adaptable, while clothes were not. Destroying a garment was effortless – a simple burn would leave no trace.

By then, if she claimed the dress was lost or stolen, without any evidence, what could they do to her?

Jiang Yunxin realized that he was indeed right.

This was different from the past when they would stake out a suspect's home; those houses were small, and any activity inside would quickly be noticed outside.

Cui Zhuxuan was enormous, with at least a dozen servants coming and going. It would indeed be challenging to keep them all under control.

Fang Mingyan suggested, "Long Qiao, you should check tonight, but make sure no one becomes aware."

Long Qiao agreed without hesitation.

Jiang Yunxin gave Long Qiao a glance. Big Brother Long, something's off with you. You're so eager to sneak into a girl's room in the middle of the night to search through her belongings. Seems like you've done this before.

Long Qiao maintained a calm expression, seemingly oblivious to Jiang Yunxin's thoughts.

After a few more words, everyone returned to their rooms for rest.

They waited for the night to deepen.

Jiang Yunxin was used to traveling frequently and sleeping in different places. Despite being in a new environment, the guest rooms in Cui Zhuxuan were tastefully decorated and cozy, providing a comfortable resting place. Lying down, she stretched luxuriously, feeling completely at ease in the new bed.

Fang Mingyan had also retired for the night, but he wasn't as carefree as Jiang Yunxin. Being a martial artist in an unfamiliar place with a lady who needed protection beside him, he naturally remained vigilant. The sky was now pitch black, and Long Qiao should have already set off by now. Fang Mingyan lay on his bed, feigning sleep with his eyes closed. Suddenly, he heard footsteps outside. Fang Mingyan's eyes snapped open, clear and alert in the darkness as if he had never slept at all. While Jiang Yunxin's hearing couldn't compare to that of a martial artist, it was still quite sharp compared to ordinary people. Perhaps due to the poor sound insulation of the house, she could even hear someone entering Fang Mingyan's room. However, she wasn't anxious because she trusted that Fang Mingyan could protect her. If he couldn't, then she wouldn't be able to save him either. One must have self-awareness. A rabbit alongside a lion could only act as an advisor, not a fighter. After all, they were in Cui Zhuxuan. What was Cui Zhuxuan? A place of indulgence and forgetfulness.

Fang Mingyan's unusual behavior today might have stirred some hidden emotions in Red Sleeves, despite her composed demeanor.

Jiang Yunxin was, after all, someone who appeared innocent but had heard and known far more than she let on.

The countless stories of domineering CEOs and handsome gentry secretly meeting with ladies at midnight that had once filled her mind were now swirling wildly.

At this moment, Jiang Yunxin wished she could be lying beneath Fang Mingyan's bed to get the inside scoop.

Unable to resist, Jiang Yunxin quietly slipped off her own bed and looked around, eventually making her way to the wall.

She had been to Fang Mingyan's room before and knew that all the guest rooms were arranged identically. Just as her bed was positioned in her room, Fang Mingyan's was similarly situated in his.

Standing where Fang Mingyan's bed would be against the wall, she pressed her ear against it, wishing she had x-ray vision.

The footsteps she'd heard earlier sounded feminine; perhaps Red Sleeves had come to confess her feelings to Fang Mingyan in the middle of the night.

Though Jiang Yunxin had never experienced such a late-night rendezvous, she suspected that for someone like Fang Mingyan, with his status and looks, it was hardly an uncommon occurrence.

For subordinates seeking recognition from their leaders, it was crucial to have good judgment and timing.

In a situation like this, if Fang Mingyan were to reluctantly accept, she would have to keep a watchful eye and remain silent, pretending ignorance.

If, on the other hand, Fang Mingyan were to firmly and justly reject Hongxiu, even scolding her severely, Jiang Yunxin should promptly appear and join in denouncing Hongxiu's ill intentions, serving as a witness to her leader's innocence.

Otherwise, in the dark of night, with only two individuals of opposite sexes present, if Hongxiu were to falsely accuse Fang Mingyan of misconduct, who could clarify the truth?

Wouldn't Fang Mingyan's lifelong reputation be ruined just like that?

Jiang Yunxin felt that she had considered everything thoroughly and gave herself a mental thumbs up.