Chapter 32: Poaching Together

Chapter 32: Poaching Together

In the dilapidated courtyard, the yellowed brick walls, the pristine snow, and shadows lengthening under dim red light, coupled with the sudden sound...

A myriad of images flashed through Xianjin's mind - from Thailand, Sakura Nation, and Goryeo... none were domestic - after all, spirits weren't allowed post-founding, setting up a hundred and twenty minutes only to reveal mental illness and psychological issues in the end.

Xianjin slowly turned her head to see an incredibly beautiful face, high cheekbones and a straight nose, her features upright and full, her spirit dignified and ethereal.

He was quite tall, she had to look up to meet his gaze.

From afar... she hadn't realized just how tall he was...

"Shi... no, Daling."

Xianjin retracted her gaze, nodding in greeting.

It was the eldest branch's star of hope.

What had he said again?

Inviting her to investigate Zhu Mansion at night?

Did that mean, for however long she had been listening here, he had been listening behind her? And then came to the conclusion that they needed to investigate Zhu Mansion at night?

Judging by his appearance, the star of hope seemed to belong to the most orthodox scholar-officials, perhaps not yet at that level, but as long as he didn't make any missteps, he would surely wear the black hat of office and become someone above others, completely distancing himself from commoners and the bustling streets.

Why was he getting involved in this mess?

If discovered, the esteemed star of hope sneaking around the new widow's wall in the dead of night might not even be able to continue his studies.

Xianjin scratched her head, "You... are serious?"

Chen Jianfang didn't answer, lifting his foot to step out first. Seeing Xianjin hadn't followed, he turned to urge, "Second Uncle likes to sing The Tale of Yingying when drunk; he sings Yingying, while Second Aunt sings Zhang Sheng."

Chen Jianfang listened to the sounds in the courtyard without changing his expression, "Now they're on the second act. Once he finishes, everyone will notice two people missing from the table."

Xianjin hurriedly followed, Chen Jianfang walking so fast that Xianjin had to jog to keep up with his shadow.

On the evening of the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month, every household in Jing County had their doors closed, the streets silent and empty.

Turning down two streets, Chen Jianfang stopped in front of a mansion gate, the signboard above reading "Zhu Mansion," surrounded by walls. Perhaps due to the current dynasty's peaceful governance and prosperous economy, the Nanzhili region where Jing County belonged was a thriving trade hub. With surplus food and money, the walls of wealthy residences like Zhu Ganglie's were only about ten feet (3 meters) high.

Why didn't she bring a ladder, or at least a rope?

If worse came to worst, she should have brought Zhou Ergou.

His back was broad like a mountain; she could stand on him more stably than a ladder.

Xianjin glanced at Chen Jianfang from the corner of her eye; this scholar grew in height but not in muscle, his narrow face smaller than hers, dressed in a linen robe, it was clear he lacked strength in his waist. He probably couldn't hold a plank as long as she could...

The health-conscious battle maiden subtly pursed her lips.

Doing these deceitful and illegal things required careful planning, one must never act on impulse, and always think thrice before acting...

"We..." Before Xianjin could finish her sentence, she saw Chen Jianfang surveying the area, choosing a low spot, taking several steps back, lifting the hem of his robe, taking a deep breath, and sprinting forward. With one foot pushing off the wall, he exerted force, his hands supporting on the green tiles atop the wall, and with a push-up motion, he pressed his entire body onto the wall's peak.

"Give me your hand."

A hand with slightly protruding veins reached towards Xianjin's head.

Xianjin opened her mouth, dumbfounded.

This series of movements flowed smoothly, masterfully executed. Xianjin wouldn't believe he rarely climbed over widows' walls!

Under the moon's jade glow, the girl's astonished expression was somewhat stunned.

And somewhat, beautiful.

Chen Jianfang pursed his lips.

He had seen Third Uncle's famous He Xiaoniang, her appearance stunningly beautiful, like a delicate white flower clinging to strong branches and lush leaves.

Her daughter had inherited her looks well.

But their demeanors were vastly different.

Perhaps it was due to the slightly elongated, upward-slanting eyes that brought a coolness, or the slender yet tall stature that conveyed elegance, or the clean, unadorned face without jewels or decorations that brought purity. This girl looked very intelligent.

One glance and you knew she was smart.

Being stared at by a smart, beautiful girl with an incredulous gaze, anyone, Chen Jianfang believed, anyone, even the Imperial Academy's doctor who knew his destiny, would surely find it hard to hide their self-importance and smug satisfaction.

A large portion of Chen Jianfang's despondency and restlessness was swept away, unaware that his tone had become gentler, "A gentleman is proficient in the six arts, versed in rites, music, archery, chariotry, calligraphy, and arithmetic. Even in the Imperial Academy, we learn horseback riding and sword dancing. Give me your hand, I'll pull you up, I can do it."

With words spoken to such an extent, there was no need for further hesitation.

Xianjin naturally extended her hand, Chen Jianfang tightly gripping her wrist. Xianjin mimicked his actions, using the wall to push off, flipping up, and then slowly descending along the wall to reach the ground.

Perhaps because the master of the house had just died, the entire two-story mansion was adorned with white flowers, exuding silence from all sides.

Xianjin crouched, following behind Chen Jianfang, using the faint light in the corridor to approach the largest courtyard. The layout of courtyards in this era was largely similar, and soon Xianjin infiltrated the main inner chamber. She took out a fire starter from her bosom, blowing it to illuminate and observe; it should be Zhu Ganglie's room, a tall cabinet inside with many empty compartments, only one or two porcelain vases remaining.

Xianjin whispered, "...porcelain is fragile, naturally not carried when fleeing."

Behind the cabinet were two locked chests.

Could the account books be there?

Chen Jianfang bent down, tugging at the locks.

Xianjin shook her head and lowered her voice, "Not there."

Chen Jianfang lifted his head.

To avoid drawing attention, they stood close together, Xianjin whispering, "...Mr. Chen Liu said that Steward Zhu kept all valuables on his person, even sewing banknotes into the lining of his clothes..."

As she spoke, Xianjin tiptoed and bent low, holding the fire starter as she looked around, silently making her way to the inner room.

Huh.

What a large bed.

It could easily fit four or five people.

This pig...

Recalling what Steward Zhu's wife had said about his "dozen concubines," Xianjin felt a wave of disgust, pulling out a handkerchief from her bosom to cover her hand.

With the barrier between her skin and the object, she felt less creeped out.

Xianjin pulled back the quilt on the bed and continued, "...that chest of drawers was locked, but placed right in the middle of the main room, visible at first glance... How could someone like Steward Zhu trust a mere lock?"

There was nothing in the quilt.

Xianjin then pulled out the pillow, feeling it inch by inch as she spoke, "A man like him only trusts himself, only keeps the most crucial things closest to his body..."

Found it!

Hard!

Thick!

Hidden within the pillow stuffing!

What better place than right next to his head every day, closer to him than anywhere else!

Xianjin couldn't find the seam of the pillow, so she set the fire starter aside, gritting her teeth as she tore at the cotton fabric with all her might.

"Let me do it..."

Chen Jianfang couldn't bear to watch, reaching out to take over.

Xianjin hurriedly shook her head!

She could manage!

She might struggle to open a water bottle cap.

But when it came to tearing apart packages, oh no, evidence, she was more than up to the task!