clue

The government office prison.

Xu Lanxin brought Qinglu to find Hongfu to change her wound dressing.

The chilling atmosphere of the dungeon still made her hair stand on end and gave her goosebumps.

Hong Fu, sitting against the bars of the cell, looked a little better than yesterday.

Seemingly hearing a noise, she opened her eyes and, seeing that it was Xu Lanxin, nodded slightly. Her eyes brightened, filled with gratitude.

Xu Lanxin stepped forward to check on the healing of her wound and then asked Qinglu to change her dressing.

You seem to be in better spirits today. Can we have a chat?

Seeing her nod in acknowledgment, Lanxin didn't stand on ceremony and asked a lot of questions directly.

The information she provided was largely consistent with what the maid had told her yesterday, except that she added to the maid's account.

Hong Fu is not one to make friends easily. She has a rather cold personality and has no interaction with the other two contestants for the title of courtesan. At most, they would exchange greetings when they meet.

Judging from the conversation, given her personality, she probably wouldn't even realize she's offended someone.

Xu Lanxin took out the sachet from yesterday from her bag and handed it over.

"Take a look, do you recognize this?"

"A sachet?"

After taking it, Hongfu examined it repeatedly before finally handing it back to her.

"This looks like Lord Wei's possession; I saw him wearing it the day he died."

Have you seen this sachet anywhere else?

She said no, so it seems that Hongfu doesn't have any clues either.

We can only wait and see how Cen Yan is doing.

Post station.

Xu Lanxin returned to the post station, found Cen Yan, and went over the details of what had happened.

"Where's the sachet?"

Cen Yan took the sachet she handed him and called Qingyun into the room.

"Give this to Yan'an and let him find out where it came from."

After Qingyun left, Xu Lanxin asked, "So, the person I saw that day was that kid from Yan'an."

Cen Yan nodded.

With a loud 'bang', Xu Lanxin immediately slammed her hand on the table.

Someone pulled her hand that was slapping the table and gently blew on it with tenderness.

"You, Yan'an, actually went to visit brothels."

As soon as she finished speaking, she felt a chilly wind on her body. Xu Lanxin immediately remembered that she had been there before, and awkwardly turned her head to look at Cen Yan.

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of mockery, as if to say, 'You have the nerve to criticize others, yet you're having a great time at the brothel yourself.'

"Haha, wasn't I just incredibly prescient, sensing that a major case was about to occur, and going to check it out in advance?"

Do you think I believe you?

Xu Lanxin felt weak in the knees under his intense gaze, that abyss inviting people into his trap, and could only lower her head.

"Okay, I'm just curious and want to go see."

After saying that, he raised his hands.

"I swear, I didn't do anything."

Cen Yan smiled slightly, pulled her up, wrapped his arms around her waist, and hugged her tightly, flicking her nose with his finger.

"good."

"So, while I was recuperating at Laifu Inn, you sent Yan'an and the others over first?"

"Yes, keeping them in the shadows will help us investigate the case. The Emperor sent me to investigate, which is known to everyone on the surface, but by the time I arrive, I'm afraid what I'll see will all be a facade."

"Yan'an just wanted to come along for some fun, but your injuries haven't healed yet, so let's send a few of them first to scout ahead."

"You're really good at using free labor! Did you find any useful information?"

"There's a glimmer of hope, but it will take time."

"Hopefully that kid can find out about the sachet and clear Hong Fu's name."

After saying that, Xu Lanxin leaned against his chest, listening to his heartbeat, enjoying this peaceful moment.

Nighttime, the Red Mansion.

The building was already filled with noise, and on the high platform, dancers dressed in daring and sexy outfits, with serpentine figures, twirled barefoot.

The men in the audience shouted excitedly.

Upstairs, the air was filled with the rich scent of perfume, and the flickering lights cast long shadows on the people inside.

The pink-clad beauty's slender fingers danced across the strings of the zither, while another blue-clad beauty swayed her body gently in the distance, performing the dance.

Both of them were looking towards the table in front of them, their pupils seemingly filled with endless affection.

At the wine table, a handsome man dressed in purple and wearing a green hairpin was reclining in the arms of a beautiful woman wearing a thin veil, his well-defined fingers tapping on his knees.

A smile graced his face as he gazed affectionately in the direction of the beauty, seemingly lost in the melodious strains of the zither.

Isn't that guy from Yan'an?

At this moment, the beautiful woman in the thin veil raised her hand and held a cup of sake to Yan'an's lips.

Yan'an looked up, reached out and hooked his hand under the beauty's chin, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"My beauty, drinking like this is missing so much flavor! May I borrow your fragrant cheek for a moment?"

Tsk tsk, who would have thought our Prince of Yan'an had this side to him!

"Young Master~"

The beauty feigned shyness, then obediently took a small sip of wine from her glass, before beckoning Yan'an to drink it down.

"Fine wine! The wine fed to me by this beauty is truly a delicacy."

Yan'an sat up, faced the beauty, and lifted her chin.

"My beauty, what reward would you like?"

"Young master, it is my good fortune to have your favor. How could I dare to ask you for anything?"

Yan'an gave a slight, mocking twitch at the corner of his mouth.

"Since the beauty doesn't know what she wants, then this young master will help her choose."

After Yan'an sat down, he called out towards the door.

Then his personal servant Yuanbao came in carrying a tray, on which lay a familiar green sachet.

After taking the sachet off the tray, Yan'an embraced the beautiful woman in the thin veil, their bodies pressed tightly together without a single gap.

With a flick of his wrist, the sachet was already in the beauty's pocket.

"Young master, you're so naughty!"

"Yeah?"

Yan'an burst into unrestrained laughter.

"Take a look and see if you like it? It's one of my favorite items."

The beauty took a sachet from inside her clothes, held it in her hand, poured out the petals inside, her expression faltered for a moment, then quickly spread across her face with a charming smile.

"Young master, why are you giving me flower petals?"

"What's wrong? Doesn't the beauty like him?"

The woman in the thin veil lowered her head in embarrassment and glanced at the sachet.

"Huh?"

Yan'an looked puzzled upon hearing this.

"Does the young master also admire Qiongniang's fabrics?"

Who is Qiong Niang?

Upon seeing this, the beauty feigned jealousy, looking rather unhappy.

"I wonder which lady in the brothel gave you her sachet, and you shamelessly gave it to me."

After saying that, he turned his back.

Yan An chuckled, turned her around, and said ingratiatingly, "My goodness, this wasn't a gift from your sister. I just found the workmanship quite exquisite and asked for it."

"Tell me quickly, who is Qiongniang? This young master will go and find even more exquisite things for the beauty."

After listening, the veiled beauty changed her expression and began to chatter on.

Because of her excellent embroidery skills and fair prices, Qiongniang was willing to do business with the Red Mansion, so the madam of the Red Mansion cooperated with her, and all the fabrics needed by the girls in the brothel were made by her.

After a few rounds, Yan'an learned the information he wanted: once they found Qiongniang, they would know whose sachet it was.

After obtaining the information, Yan'an used this as an excuse to flee.

We arrived at Cen Yan's residence.

After drinking several cups of tea that had left him parched, Yan'an finally looked up at the crowd and found everyone staring intently at him.

I unconsciously swallowed.

What are you doing?

Yan'an tightened his collar and said nervously, "This young master is not one to act casually!"

Xu Lanxin reached out and gave him a slap.

"Come on, stop acting! Just tell me already."

Yan'an slowly began to speak, recounting the story of Qiong Niang.

"So we need to find this Qiong Niang first? Where does she live?"

Yan'an immediately looked smug: "I've found out all of this. She lives in Lixiufang in the north of the city. She's the manager of the embroidery shop."

"Alright, I'll go to the embroidery shop tomorrow."

Lixiu Workshop in the North of the City.

Xu Lanxin stepped into Lixiu Workshop. The workshop was small, with some finished fabrics displayed inside and several exquisite works hanging on the walls.

Inside the embroidery workshop, the embroiderers were focused on their work, while one or two others looked up and glanced over.

Upon seeing a guest arrive, a gracefully dressed woman approached Xu Lanxin, bowed, and inquired.

"Hello, I'd like to find Qiong Niang."

The woman smiled politely and said, "That is me. May I ask what business you have with Qiongniang, Madam?"

Xu Lanxin handed the sachet to her.

"I wonder if this sachet is an embroidery from Lixiu Workshop?"

Judging from Qiongniang's expression, she must have recognized the sachet at a glance.

Then I noticed her eyes narrowed, and she seemed a little nervous.

"Madam, please come with me."

Xu Lanxin followed Qiongniang to the backyard.

The backyard is small, with only two rooms surrounding a small courtyard.

"This sachet was indeed embroidered by Qiongniang. I suppose Madam obtained it from the Dream of the Red Chamber?"

Xu Lanxin didn't need to answer this question at all; Qiongniang's words were both the question and the answer.

"Then please help me see which girls in the Red Chamber have this sachet?"

Some of the girls of higher status would have certain requests regarding the embroidery that Qiongniang sent to the Red Mansion.

And this sachet happens to be one of the requirements; she prefers to use yellow for the twin lotus flowers embroidered on the sachet.

"Fairy?"

Xu Lanxin pondered the name, lowering her eyes as if lost in thought.

After saying goodbye, they returned to the post station by the same route.