Chapter 157: Meeting Si Lu Again

Chapter 157: Encounter with Si Lu Again

Since Qin Jiao had been "gloriously wounded" on his first day in Xiaoxiang County, their plan to search for the Sharp-crested Snake was pushed back a few days.

According to the guide Shen Fuqing had found, most of the Sharp-crested Snakes in Xiaoxiang County were concentrated in a large mountain to the north, where ancient trees blotted out the sun and the paths were steep and rugged. A typical trip into the mountains took at least three days.

So, to avoid slowing down the group's snake-hunting progress, Qin Jiao applied his medicine on schedule every day and rested up quietly.

Finally, that day, Qin Jiao's foot injury had fully healed, and the group packed up their gear, ready to head into the mountains.

But then the guide Shen Fuqing had found said there would be heavy rain in the north today, and miasma would rise later on, making it the worst time to go into the mountains. So the group had to wait another day.

The wait was pretty boring, and coincidentally, today was the day the "Xiaoxiang Divine Maidens" were being sent to the island in the middle of the lake. He Zhao dragged Qin Jiao out to watch the excitement.

"I wonder how Lord Shen's investigation into that Guan Jiu is coming along?"

At the packed bank of the Fengwu River, He Zhao was idly twirling a blade of grass.

"Anyway, Lord Shen's been hard to pin down lately."

After Qin Jiao and He Zhao got back that day, they'd told Xie Nai and the others about Guan Jiu meeting that mysterious person in the alley. Shen Fuqing had said he'd look into it along with the "Divine Maiden Selection" business.

These past few days, Shen Fuqing had been leaving early and coming back late. No telling if he was looking into that or busy with something else related to the "Late Crown Prince Poisoning Case."

"Honestly, I don't think Guan Jiu seems like a good guy."

He Zhao's gaze landed on a spot not far off, where the "Divine Maiden Farewell Ceremony" was taking place. Guan Jiu stood on the high platform, smiling all friendly and warm.

Because of the "lesson" they'd learned last time, this time Qin Jiao and He Zhao just stood far off on higher ground, keeping their distance from the crowd.

The Divine Maiden Farewell Ceremony was a lively affair. First, they slaughtered livestock as offerings to the River God, followed by various ritual performances. Finally, the officials tossed out a round of copper coins, sending the townsfolk scrambling to grab them.

"We pray the River God shows mercy and blesses our Xiaoxiang County with good weather..."

"We pray the River God grants his blessings, and the Divine Maiden keeps us safe!"

The people of Xiaoxiang County seemed crazy about the "Xiaoxiang Divine Maidens." Even when the flower boat carrying the Divine Maiden was nearly out of sight, the crowd was still cheering and shouting, setting off firecrackers and fireworks like they were free.

The blade of grass in He Zhao's hand had already been "mangled" beyond recognition. "Nothing else to see. Let's head back."

Qin Jiao: "Alright."

But by "head back," He Zhao didn't mean going to their lodgings—he meant going back to Xiao Baiyu and Xie Nai.

Even though He Zhao had only planned to bring Qin Jiao out to watch the fun, Xiao Baiyu and Xie Nai were both super clingy. No sooner had Qin Jiao and the others taken their spot by the river than Luo Yue had already set up tea and a chessboard for Xie Nai and company, moving with such smooth, effortless grace—thoroughly thoughtful and attentive.

"You're back." Seeing He Zhao and Qin Jiao return, Xiao Baiyu smiled and handed them each a cup of tea.

"Haven't you two settled your chess match yet?"

Qin Jiao sat down beside Xie Nai and glanced at the board before asking.

"Senior brother, play here!" He Zhao pointed at a spot on the board.

Qin Jiao immediately glared at him. "Spectators shouldn't talk during a game—Flowery Peacock, you're breaking the rules."

Xie Nai chuckled beside him, saying nothing.

Xiao Baiyu, meanwhile, looked at He Zhao with pure adoration. "Alright, whatever Zhou Zhou says."

With that, Xiao Baiyu placed his white stone, and then Luo Yue laughed from the side: "Wow! The prince wins!"

Qin Jiao: "?"

Glancing at the dumbfounded He Zhao, Qin Jiao found it funny. So you were playing for the other team all along?

Divine Doctor Xiao is truly blessed to have you as his Flowery Peacock.

"Next time you play chess, I promise I'll stay far, far away." He Zhao looked at Xiao Baiyu, looking somewhat guilty.

He'd just pointed at random, trying to tease Xiao Baiyu, but who knew he'd be so obedient—one move and he lost the game.

"No big deal, it's just one game." Xiao Baiyu comforted He Zhao. "Having Zhou Zhou by my side matters more than winning."

He Zhao: "No, winning matters more."

Xiao Baiyu looked at He Zhao with a tender smile. "Alright, whatever Zhou Zhou says."

"Oh man..." Qin Jiao's eyes were nearly squeezed shut from laughing. "Sixth Brother, what am I supposed to do? My teeth are aching from all this sweetness!"

Qin Jiao collapsed onto Xie Nai's shoulder, laughing, and Xie Nai took the chance to pinch his chin, look left and right, and then say seriously, "Don't worry, young master's teeth are still there—they haven't been sweetened right out of your mouth."

"Haha, Sixth Brother, come on..."

This time Qin Jiao laughed even harder, unable to stop.

"Alright, Little Qin Jiao, I hold you dear in my heart, and you're laughing this hard?" He Zhao's face was a bit red as he ran over to tickle Qin Jiao. "Sore teeth, huh? Come here, let me check!"

"No, no, no—you're definitely trying to pull my teeth... haha!"

Qin Jiao laughed while ducking behind Xie Nai. In all the chaos, the neatly arranged chessboard was knocked into disarray, black and white pieces scattered everywhere.

"Qin Jiao, quit running!"

He Zhao was so focused on chasing Qin Jiao that he didn't notice he'd knocked over the chess box sitting on the railing. The next second, everyone heard the muffled thud of the box smacking into someone.

"Ow!" came the pained cry of a young man.

"Oh crap, we hit someone!"

Qin Jiao and He Zhao hurried over to check, then both blurted out in surprise at the same time:

"It's him?" Qin Jiao was surprised.

"Oh no, we hit the prettiest one! Please tell me his face isn't messed up..." He Zhao said worriedly.

Qin Jiao: "..."

What the heck is going on!

Qin Jiao hurried over to the guy, his look questioning and concerned. "Si Lu, what are you doing in Xiaoxiang County? Sorry about hitting you—are you okay?"

Indeed, the young man they'd hit was none other than Si Lu.

Today he wore pristine moon-white brocade, a jade hairpin in his hair, his face as fair as jade—except for a conspicuous red mark on his forehead, just caused by the hit.

"Young Master Qin?"

Si Lu was just as surprised to see Qin Jiao. He reached up and touched his forehead, then said casually, "I'm fine, Young Master Qin, no need to worry." "I'm really sorry, Si Lu. Let my senior brother take a look at that for you."

As they were talking, He Zhao brought Xiao Baiyu over as well.

"Really, it's nothing. Just a bump, it'll be fine in a few days." Si Lu said as he handed the chess box he had just picked up back to He Zhao.

"Alright then." Seeing that Si Lu insisted, He Zhao didn't press further. Instead, he deftly pulled a small red medicine bottle from Xiao Baiyu and offered it to him: "This medicine works great for bumps and bruises. Here, Si Lu, take it!"

"Thank you." This time Si Lu didn't refuse and accepted the small bottle.

"When did you get to Xiaoxiang County, Si Lu?" Qin Jiao asked with a smile. "Are you here for fun?"

Previously, Si Lu had saved Cong Shuang, and to repay him, Qin Jiao had helped him buy his way out of the Guanhua Troupe. Now he was a free man.

"I just got here. I'm here to find someone." Si Lu then turned the question back to Qin Jiao: "And you, Young Master Qin?"

"We're just here for fun." Qin Jiao smiled.

Si Lu nodded in understanding, then said, "In that case, I won't keep you all. I still have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

"Alright."

Watching Si Lu walk away, Qin Jiao couldn't help thinking—was Xiaoxiang County some kind of hidden gem? From Li Nanli to Si Lu, they had run into two acquaintances in just a few days.

Little did Qin Jiao know at that moment, Xiaoxiang County held far more familiar faces than just Li Nanli and Si Lu. Eventually, there would even be enough to form two full tables of mahjong...

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