Chapter 9 State of Vigilance

Chapter 9: The Heart of Vigilance

The night is the best cover.

The hustle and bustle of the day, along with people's caution and laughter, are ruthlessly swallowed and obliterated.

In the deep night by a cold window, a single lamp flickers like a bean.

A young woman's exquisite and delicate features appear even more enchanting under the candlelight, while beside her sits a middle-aged, richly dressed woman with elaborate hair ornaments.

The middle-aged woman fans herself with a rose quartz plum blossom fan in her hand, her eyes filled with worry. "With the heat on, there's even a Master Wu looking for a girl, and he wants one with a disability. Where am I supposed to find that? Daughter, what if we pause for a bit? The authorities are cracking down right now."

The young woman toys with a string of fiery red coral beads in her hand, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "Stop? How can we stop? That's money, Mom. Don't you like money?"

The middle-aged woman hesitates. "Who doesn't like money? But now Xue Lin and Zhu Qi are dead. They were regulars at our establishment. I'm worried someone might trace it back to us."

"They're dead, so what? Who saw them coming here often? With how useless those corrupt officials are, how many days do you think they'll keep at it? In the end, they'll just find someone to pin the blame on."

As the young woman speaks, a cold, mocking glint in her eyes.

"But Xue Lin and Zhu Qi died such horrible deaths..."

The middle-aged woman shrinks back, feeling as though she no longer recognizes this 'daughter' of hers.

"What are you afraid of? We didn't kill them. Even if something goes wrong, the next one to die will only be that Master Wu!"

The young woman suddenly flares up, grabbing the middle-aged woman's face hard. "Besides, aren't there thugs and guards outside the city to help us? What are you afraid of!" Her long nails dig into the flesh, making her face pale with pain.

"I... I don't..."

Intimidated by the young woman's gaze, the middle-aged woman speaks hesitantly. "But it's already hard to find girls, let alone one with a disability..."

"Is it so hard to find a disabled one? Don't we have one right here in our establishment?"

The young woman releases the middle-aged woman's face, picks up a silk handkerchief, and meticulously wipes her fingers.

"In our establishment?" The middle-aged woman is taken aback. The young woman adds, "Isn't a mute considered disabled?"

"You mean the one who ran away last time..." The middle-aged woman puts down her fan, thinks for a moment, and then says ruthlessly, "That works too. If being mute doesn't count, I'll have someone break her hands and feet and disfigure her. That wretched girl... can't be kept."

Wealthy people always have particular tastes. For example, Master Wu doesn't fancy young, beautiful, blooming maidens. Instead, he prefers women with disabilities.

"Go ahead and handle it."

The young woman waves her hand, a hint of sarcasm flashing in her eyes. "Mom, I'm sure you can manage it well."

The middle-aged woman, not noticing the young woman's strange demeanor, bows and slowly withdraws.

The next day, at the Qin residence.

After Cong Shuang bandages the wound on Qin Jiao's wrist, she signs, "Are you sure you don't need me to accompany you, young master?"

Pulling down his sleeve to cover the gauze, Qin Jiao replies with a smile, "No need, sister. Today I'm going with Luo Bei to the Floating Flower Market to identify the strange scent. It's not a dangerous place."

Yesterday, after returning from the morgue, Luo Bei reported to Xie Nai that they had checked the canal transport and the Floating Flower Market. The canal transport was normal, but at the market, an old man claimed to know what underwater object emitted the strange scent. Since only Qin Jiao had smelled it, he had to go to the market today.

"It's fine if you go with Luo Bei, but with the prince..." Cong Shuang furrows her brows slightly. "The prince seems to have a bad temper. He had a cold expression when he sent you back last night."

"Don't worry, sister. If he's in a bad mood, I'll just avoid looking at him."

Although Xie Nai is exceptionally handsome and commands attention, spending too much time with him means enduring his icy demeanor.

Yesterday, Xie Nai insisted on escorting Qin Jiao home. After a bumpy hour-long carriage ride, he didn't say a single word, keeping his eyes closed and completely ignoring Qin Jiao.

Qin Jiao had thought Xie Nai offered to take him home to discuss the case on the way, but it turned out to be a simple escort.

That was... a bit ridiculous.

When had their relationship progressed to the point where Xie Nai needed to see him home?

Just a few days ago, Xie Nai had intended to kill him.

"As long as you have a plan, young master. Be careful outside. I'll stew some fish at home and wait for you." After straightening Qin Jiao's robe, Cong Shuang walks out side by side with him.

"Okay, sister. I'll take care of myself."

Ever since the kidnapping incident, Cong Shuang wants to follow Qin Jiao whenever he goes out, but she has to manage the household in the capital.

Watching the young man cross the threshold, Cong Shuang consoles herself: Luo Bei is Xie Nai's most capable guard, and he handled things steadily at the Ke Lai Teahouse. Surely the young master will be safe with him.

When Qin Jiao leaves the residence, Luo Bei is already there. Despite their unpleasant encounter in the rainy forest that night, Qin Jiao still greets him.

Luo Bei solemnly bows to Qin Jiao. "Please, Little Master Qin."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Qin Jiao walks briskly toward the carriage, while Luo Bei's gaze wavers slightly behind him, but he ultimately says nothing.

A moment later, Qin Jiao's surprised voice rings out: "Why is the prince here? Wasn't I supposed to go to the Floating Flower Market with Luo Bei?"

The aloof young prince gazes at Qin Jiao's stunned expression without speaking. He simply twirls the green-and-white jade thumb ring on his finger, round after round. Qin Jiao holds the carriage curtain for a moment, then grits his teeth and climbs in, sitting opposite Xie Nai.

Once this case is solved, he will have nothing more to do with Xie Nai—Qin Jiao thinks to himself.

Qin Jiao doesn't want to meet Xie Nai's gaze, so he pulls back the curtain to look outside.

Nanzhou in the morning is vibrant and lively. Blooming flowers are radiant and colorful. The morning light falls on the river encircling the city, leaving large patches of glow, like a spilled maiden's vanity case, dazzling and beautiful.

Xie Nai also looks outward. The streets are filled with curling smoke from cooking fires, and the wine banners of tea houses and inns flutter gently in the breeze. Yet amidst this bustling liveliness, the eyes of passersby hold more caution than usual, lacking the warmth of days gone by.

"Do you fear me, Little Master Qin?"

Xie Nai suddenly speaks, startling Qin Jiao. "Why do you ask that?"

"Because you are wary and guarded. It's quite obvious."

Qin Jiao is speechless.

You've got some nerve asking that.

Since Xie Nai has brought it up plainly, Qin Jiao decides to be straightforward. "After all, neither our first encounter nor any subsequent meeting has been pleasant."

"The first time was a pure misunderstanding. If you need an apology from me, I can offer one." Xie Nai pauses. "But after that, I haven't mistreated you, have I?"

Qin Jiao didn't expect Xie Nai to say this. An apology? That's probably part of some scheme.

"I cannot accept your apology, Your Highness. Once this case is over, it's best if we have no further dealings. Let's just stay out of each other's way." Qin Jiao says solemnly.

Xie Nai understood.

Little Master Qin was still angry about their first meeting, when he had tried to kill him and take his jade pendant. Slowly and gently turning the celadon jade thumb ring on his hand, Xie Nai said, "Little Master Qin, there's no need to speak so soon."

Qin Jiao had no intention of arguing with Xie Nai; he merely muttered under his breath, "I just wanted to say it that soon."

Xie Nai, seeing the young master's slight irritation, did not provoke him further. However, when Qin Jiao reached for the teacup on the low table, the young man's gaze unconsciously dropped to his wrist.

Not only was the wrist bandaged, but the young master's fair, jade-like face also had red scratch marks.

Qin Jiao noticed Xie Nai looking at his wrist and immediately pulled down his sleeve to cover the gauze. Xie Nai then quickly averted his gaze. Qin Jiao took it as an accidental glance and paid it no mind.

After that, the two had no further exchange. The carriage rocked along, and Luo Bei drove steadily, soon reaching the Floating Flower Market.

After alighting from the carriage, Qin Jiao stood beside Xie Nai. Today, Qin Jiao wore a moon-white silk robe from Hangzhou, embroidered with several plum blossoms at the hem. Because he felt the cold, he also wore a cape of the same color.

The young master had delicate, bright features and sparkling eyes that were a delight to see.

Xiao Nianzhang spotted Xie Nai and Qin Jiao from afar, their figures one in green and one in white. "Your Highness, Little Master Qin, everything is arranged within the flower market. Please follow me."

Xie Nai walked straight ahead. Qin Jiao understood that Xiao Nianzhang's courtesy toward him was due to Xie Nai; he himself had no standing to command such respect from Xiao Nianzhang. Nodding slightly to Xiao Nianzhang, Qin Jiao said with a smile, "Thank you for the trouble, Governor Xiao."

"You flatter me, Little Master Qin. Please, come in."

Xiao Nianzhang made a gesture of invitation, and Qin Jiao followed his lead, stepping forward a few paces to walk a step behind and to the side of Xie Nai.

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