Chapter 133: So It Was Cousin
Speaking of Zhi Wan, Liang Qixian’s expression turned cold. "We certainly can’t let her go. I suspected before that Zhi Wan might be connected to Zhi Yu. Now that Lu Zhan has suddenly decided to investigate what happened back then, it must be because of her. It’s even possible that the ledger we failed to find all those years ago is in her possession!"
Madam Liang was startled. "The ledger is in her hands? Then what’s her relationship to Zhi Yu?"
"Judging by her age, she must be Zhi Yu’s daughter!" Liang Qixian’s fists tightened.
"It’s a shame we didn’t kill her along with the rest of them. We wouldn’t be dealing with this mess today if we had," Madam Liang said, her face full of hatred.
"There’s no use talking about that now." Liang Qixian looked agitated. "By the way, what’s the word from the Zeng family?"
"The Zeng family despises that little bitch, of course. From what I heard from Lady Qiao, they’re planning to make their move at the temple fair the day after tomorrow," Madam Liang said.
"The temple fair?" Liang Qixian murmured thoughtfully.
"That’s right. Yangzhou’s annual temple fair is the liveliest event of the year. That little bitch Zhi Wan is sure to be there," Madam Liang said with conviction.
Hearing this, Liang Qixian’s expression relaxed slightly. "The temple fair is perfect. It’ll be crowded, so it wouldn’t be strange for an ’accident’ to happen. We’ll let the Zeng family make the first move. It would be ideal if they manage to kill Zhi Wan. If they can’t, it won’t be too late for us to step in."
Madam Liang agreed. "You’re right, my lord. We’ll wait and see how things unfold."
Lu Family Villa.
As night fell, Zhi Wan was sitting in her room, flipping through a picture album, when the melodious sound of string and wind instruments drifted in from somewhere.
She listened for a moment before calling Shuang’er over. "Where is that music coming from?"
Shuang’er replied, "It’s coming from the Princely Heir’s courtyard."
"My cousin’s place?" Zhi Wan asked in surprise.
"Yes." Shuang’er nodded, then hesitated for a moment before adding, "Just a short while ago, I saw Elder Tian leading several beautiful young women into the Princely Heir’s courtyard."
Zhi Wan understood at once.
’So my cousin called those girls over for some entertainment.’
’Zhenzhu was right after all.’
She was still on that thought when she heard Ouyang Zhenzhu calling boisterously from outside the door, "Wanwan, did you hear that? It’s so lively over at Mr. Lu’s courtyard! Let’s go take a look!"
The corner of Zhi Wan’s mouth twitched. "I’m not going. I’m going to bed."
Hearing this, Ouyang Zhenzhu pushed the door open and came inside. "It’s still early! Besides, with all that noise next door, how can you possibly sleep?"
Zhi Wan set her book down, wrapped herself in her quilt, and lay down. "I can sleep just fine."
Ouyang Zhenzhu was at a loss for words. She pulled back the quilt and shook Zhi Wan’s arm. "Wanwan, please just come with me! I heard those courtesans—the ’slender horses’—are trained from childhood and are masters of all sorts of talents. I’m so curious to see them."
"No." Zhi Wan was unmoved. ’I haven’t forgotten what happened today. If there’s trouble, this girl will just throw me under the bus.’
’Besides, it’s my cousin’s private affair. How could I, his cousin, possibly get involved?’
Seeing she couldn’t persuade her, Ouyang Zhenzhu gave up. "Fine, forget it. I’ll go back to bed too."
Zhi Wan knew her friend’s personality. There was no way she would give up so easily when there was a spectacle to be seen. After Ouyang Zhenzhu left, she told Shuang’er to follow her.
Sure enough, Shuang’er returned a short time later in a rush. "Miss, you have to come see! Miss Ouyang has climbed up on the compound wall!"
The corner of Zhi Wan’s mouth twitched again, but she didn’t get up. Instead, she instructed, "Take a few people with you and keep an eye on her. Don’t let her fall, and don’t alert my cousin’s party."
Seeing that she wasn’t going to intervene, Shuang’er was confused. "Aren’t you going to try and talk her down?"
Zhi Wan said helplessly, "It would be useless. Just let her be."
Hearing this, Shuang’er said no more and went out to the courtyard with a few servants.
A little while later, Shuang’er came back with Ouyang Zhenzhu.
Seeing Ouyang Zhenzhu’s disappointed expression, Zhi Wan asked, "So, how was it? Did you see anything?"
"Don’t even ask. I couldn’t see a thing, but I could hear the music clearly," Ouyang Zhenzhu grumbled, taking off her shoes and climbing onto Zhi Wan’s bed. "I’m sleeping with you tonight."
Zhi Wan didn’t object, simply scooting over to make room.
Ouyang Zhenzhu hugged the quilt and lay down. "Oh, right, Wanwan! Elder Tian mentioned there’s a temple fair the day after tomorrow. Want to go check it out?"
"Sure," Zhi Wan agreed, yawning as she closed her eyes.
Seeing this, Shuang’er lowered the bed curtains, extinguished the extra lamps in the room, and left only two lit by the bedside before quietly exiting.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard next door.
Lu Zhan was drinking with Chen Jiu and several other subordinates. A few beautiful women were scattered about, some playing instruments, others dancing, filling the room with a sensual and enchanting atmosphere.
Chen Jiu, who seemed to have had too much to drink, was clutching a wine jug. "Princely Heir, does the Miss really have the ledger left behind by the Jurong County Magistrate all those years ago?"
Jiang Shi berated him, "Has the wine gone to your head? How could you blurt out such a crucial secret? Be careful, walls have ears! You could ruin the Princely Heir’s entire plan!"
Chen Jiu said sheepishly, "You’re right, I got careless. I’ll punish myself with three cups!" And with that, he downed three full cups of wine.
Lu Zhan, who had been sitting silently in the seat of honor, suddenly lifted his head. The corners of his eyes were tinged with red, showing he was also somewhat intoxicated. "It’s fine," he said. "Once we have the ledger, this case can finally be closed."
Jiang Shi hesitated. "Does that servant from the Zhi family really have the ledger? What if it’s a trap?"
"Unlikely," Lu Zhan mused. "Tomorrow, accompany the Miss to Jurong and retrieve the ledger."
"Yes, sir," Jiang Shi responded respectfully.
At that moment, the person on the roof was horrified by what they heard. Daring not to linger a moment longer, they used the cover of darkness to leap away.
Inside, Lu Zhan and his men continued to drink and make merry.
Just then, another subordinate entered and shook his head at them.
Seeing this, Lu Zhan said in a low voice, "Alright, all of you may leave."
The women who had been playing music and dancing exchanged glances for a second, then bowed and departed.
Once they were gone, Lu Zhan looked at the subordinate. "Is he gone?"
"He’s gone. I watched him leave with my own eyes," the subordinate replied.
"Understood. You’re dismissed," Lu Zhan said calmly.
The subordinate bowed and took his leave.
Chen Jiu, who had been hugging the wine jug and feigning drunkenness, immediately sobered up. "Princely Heir, will Liang Qixian fall for it?"
"He has a guilty conscience. When he gets this news, he won’t be able to sit still. He’ll undoubtedly send assassins to snatch the ledger. What you should be worried about is the fierce battle that’s likely to happen tomorrow.
Liang Qixian will surely send a large number of assassins for that ledger," Lu Zhan added calmly.
"So, is the Miss really coming with us to Jurong?" Chen Jiu asked with a frown.
It wasn’t that he and Jiang Shi feared the assassins, but if the Miss came along, they would have to split their focus to protect her.
"She’s not going." Lu Zhan drained his cup.
Hearing this, Chen Jiu was hesitant. "If the Miss doesn’t go, I’m afraid Liang Qixian won’t take the bait."
Lu Zhan said nothing, his gaze suddenly flicking to Jiang Shi.
Jiang Shi was stunned.
The next moment, they heard the Princely Heir say, "Having Jiang Shi dress up as my cousin should be enough to fool them."
Jiang Shi: "..."
Chen Jiu was stunned for a second, then burst out laughing. "Brilliant, Princely Heir! A truly excellent idea!"
Jiang Shi’s face darkened. "Please, Princely Heir, take back your order!" he said urgently. "I believe Chen Jiu would be a more suitable candidate to dress as the Miss."
Hearing this, Chen Jiu immediately grew frantic. "No way! I’m a big, burly guy..."
"Chen Jiu is too big and brawny. The disguise wouldn’t be convincing," Lu Zhan said calmly.
Chen Jiu: "..."