Chapter 61: Who should I ask to cooperate with me from the inside out if I've accepted bribes?

A few lanterns hung on the desolate and dark street, their dim, yellowish light spilling onto the damp cobblestone path. However, they were clearly powerless against the thick darkness of the night, and the dappled light was gradually swallowed up by the long wind.

Five or six burly men dressed in coarse linen clothes broke the silence of the night. They rushed into the alleyway, heads down, expressions tense, looking around warily. Each of them was tall and strong, with blood-stained broadswords at their waists, the blades flashing coldly.

Although they had carefully concealed themselves, their every move betrayed their alertness and murderous intent as desperate criminals, startling several wild cats into scattering everywhere.

The cart wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, and the steady, powerful steps splashed mud into the puddles. After confirming that the surroundings were safe, the group pushed two carts out of a dilapidated house in a deep alley and escorted them away, one in front and one behind.

Xue Rongyue carefully stepped forward and peered out through the small crack in the window. She saw that the cart was covered with a thick cloth, which tightly wrapped the goods being transported on it, making it impossible to tell what they were.

After the group of burly men had gone some distance, Luo Zhen said, "They must be the bandits who harm the people of the neighboring county. As soon as night falls, the people and shops close their doors and windows tightly, but they still dare to swagger around on the street."

Jingnu's expression was grave: "Madam Zheng must have fallen into their hands. The bandits have become so rampant, why doesn't the government do anything about it?"

Xue Rongyue closed the window: "Since they dare to act so recklessly, they must be involved with the surrounding government offices."

Jingnu sighed, "The people here are suffering."

Xue Rongyue asked, "What about Guanhe? Has she exchanged letters with Shuman?"

Luo Zhen and Guan He arrived in Lin County first. Following Xue Rongyue's instructions, they quickly found a way to exchange letters with Zheng Shuman in order to find out about her safety.

Luo Zhen replied, "The letter has been sent, but there has been no reply yet. We traveled day and night, and Guanhe was so exhausted that she fell asleep. There was nothing important to do tonight, so I didn't wake her."

Xue Rongyue nodded, and seeing that Luo Zhen looked like he wanted to say something but hesitated, she said, "Speak your mind directly, don't beat around the bush."

Luo Zhen voiced his doubts: "Guanhe said before that the reason she and Madam Zheng were able to exchange letters was because she bribed a bandit."

Jingnu asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Could it be that Guanhe is lying?"

Luo Zhen shook his head: "It's not that I'm lying, but I feel something is amiss. Before we came, we didn't know what these bandits were capable of. After we arrived, I made a special inquiry. They have been entrenched here for several years and have become quite powerful. They collude with the government, prey on the people, and rob and plunder every few days. They even dare to lay hands on landlords and gentry. They are not short of money."

“Madam Zheng is of high status and involved in many things. The person guarding her must be a trusted subordinate of the bandit leader. How could such a person be so easily bribed by Guanhe with just a jade bracelet and two jade hairpins?”

Jingnu's heart sank: "Are you worried they're trying to lure the snake out of its hole?"

Luo Zhen frowned deeply: "Otherwise, there's no way to explain the doubts here."

"Is there any unusual activity outside?" Xue Rongyue suddenly asked.

Luo Zhen paused for a moment, then replied, "No. Don't worry, my lady, I've sent men to guard this place. If any suspicious persons appear, they will report it immediately."

That's it.

Xue Rongyue said, "The premise of luring the snake out of its hole is to catch the snake. If it is really intentional, they must have something to gain from luring me here."

“What can they get from me? Money? Power? Or the Xue family’s daughter? You said it yourself, they don’t lack money, so there’s no need for them to go through all this trouble and take such a big risk to target me. Power, even if I were kidnapped, it wouldn’t benefit them. As for the title of the Xue family’s daughter, they are a bunch of desperados, not scions of noble families who need to arrange marriages. The title of the Xue family’s daughter is not worth more than a few taels of silver to them.”

"A group of bandits dared to kidnap her because they had some connection with Shuman's maternal grandfather's family. If they kidnap me as well, they'll be courting death. The imperial court won't allow them to provoke us so recklessly. Besides, we've already been in the neighboring county for over two hours, and the letter has been delivered. If they wanted to arrest someone, they would have done so long ago. What are they waiting for?"

Luo Zhen and Jingnu immediately realized the truth in what he heard.

What can you gain by going to such lengths to lure them here?

Moreover, these bandits probably least wanted others to know that they had kidnapped Madam Zheng. If it became a big deal and alarmed the imperial court, not only would the local government not be able to protect them, but even Madam Zheng's maternal grandparents' family would be unable to protect them.

"Either there's some shocking secret brewing behind this, one that must involve me."

Xue Rongyue said, "But the possibility is extremely slim. Their plan is too rudimentary and too subject to change. How can they be so sure that I will come, or that I will consider Schumann's reputation and not report to the authorities after learning about this?"

"Either, something unknown has happened within the bandits. However, Luo Zhen's worries are not unfounded. It's always better to be careful when you're out and about. Luo Zhen, give the order that we live separately for the next few days, but not too far apart. If anything happens, those who can escape should do so as soon as possible to get help. Don't throw your lives away in vain."

Luo Zhen quickly responded, and Jingnu comforted him, "Fortunately, we met Prince Qin here. I really didn't expect it. But speaking of which, my lady, how did you know that Prince Qin would be in Lin County?"

Xue Rongyue picked up the hot porridge in front of her and said slowly, "Cenzhou Lin County is the most suitable place to grow jasmine. The jasmine here is the most famous. I have heard of it. On Qingheng Mountain that day, Qin Jin still had the fragrance of jasmine on him."

Jingnu didn't believe it: "Is that all? That's too far-fetched."

"Of course not."

Xue Rongyue said, "Because every household grows jasmine, people in the neighboring county love jasmine in all aspects of their lives, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation. The jewelry, fabrics, and silks that Qin Jin sent all confirmed my guess, whether it was the carved patterns or the embroidery."

Jingnu realized: "So that's how it is. I was wondering why there was a jasmine carving on the hairpin and the gold bracelet."

Jingnu looked up at the sky outside: "Has Prince Qin said what time he will arrive tonight?"

Although the two had just exchanged glances, Qin Jin did not go inside. Instead, he gestured for her to be quiet and signaled her to close the window immediately.

After feeding the cat, Qin Jin wandered off and disappeared without a trace.

No sooner had Qin Jin left than the bandits arrived. Jingnu couldn't help but wonder, "Could it be that Prince Qin also has connections with those bandits?"

After finishing a bowl of hot porridge, Xue Rongyue felt much better in her aching lower abdomen. She hissed and suddenly asked, "Do you remember how long it's been since Ji Dian last appeared in Chang'an?"

After frowning and thinking for a while, Jingnu replied, "Apart from that fleeting glimpse at the teahouse that day, it seems like I haven't seen Master Ji for a long time. It was even earlier than when Madam Zheng returned to Cenzhou to visit her family."

"Why is my wife asking about my husband out of the blue?"

Xue Rongyue pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said, "...It's nothing, I just feel something is amiss, but maybe I'm overthinking it."

Not long after seeing Ji Dian at the teahouse, Qin Jin arrived in Lin County, Cenzhou, clearly on official business. She vaguely felt that Qin Jin's visit might be related to Ji Dian.

However, all the speculations will have to wait until Qin Jin arrives to find out the answers.

They waited until late at night.

The long street was deserted, except for stray dogs barking wildly in the nameless alleys. The dark clouds quietly dissipated, and the lantern hanging in front of the door, emitting a cold, eerie glow, went out without anyone noticing. Only a crescent moon lingered there, never leaving.

The window was slightly ajar, and a faint, acrid smell of rain mixed with the scent of jasmine drifted into the room. The wind blew the curtains, and a dim candle was almost burned out.

Suddenly, a furry paw climbed onto Xue Rongyue's ankle, jolting her awake. She jumped up and looked around in a panic, only to find the room empty. Finally, the kitten started meowing, and Xue Rongyue lowered her head to find it under the table.

Xue Rongyue recognized it as the thin, wild cat that Qin Jin had previously fed.

She bent down and picked up a kitten that was clinging to her ankle, showing no signs of shyness. She stroked its fur and asked, "Where is your owner?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than two short knocks sounded at the door.

Xue Rongyue picked up the candle and stepped forward, examining the silhouette outside the door through the dim light. After confirming that it was Qin Jin, she opened the door: "Since you're here, why don't you come in? You actually sent a little cat to lead the way."

Qin Jin wore a black robe with narrow sleeves embroidered with bamboo and cranes and gold trim. His dark hair was tied up with a wooden crown. Although he was not as dashing and spirited as he was in Chang'an, he was still as handsome as ever.

The door opened abruptly, and Qin Jin's clear and handsome eyes looked straight at her.

Their eyes met, and he seemed stunned for a moment before looking away. Hearing this, he said helplessly, "I saw that the candlelight in the room was dim, and I thought you had already gone to bed. I was about to leave, but before I knew it, it had slipped inside."

"I'm waiting for you, I haven't rested yet."

Xue Rongyue stepped back to let him in.

Qin Jin hesitated for a moment, then remained still: "It's already late at night..."

"How dare you say that? You've kept me waiting until now." Xue Rongyue glared at him, and seeing that he was still standing outside the door without coming in, she couldn't help but urge him, "Hurry up and come in, or someone will see us."

Qin Jin first explained, "I'm busy tonight and can't get away for a moment."

Hearing her urging, he covered his mouth and coughed lightly, then repeated, "It's already late, it's not convenient to go inside..."

Xue Rongyue then realized what he was being coy about and immediately pulled him inside: "At this critical juncture, who has time to care about this?"

After she closed the door, she found two more candles and lit them, which immediately brightened the room considerably.

Turning around, Xue Rongyue saw Qin Jin standing awkwardly in the room with his eyes downcast, and couldn't help but find it amusing. She walked over with a candle in hand, deliberately getting closer to observe Qin Jin's expression: "Young Master, sit down, why are you standing? Are you embarrassed?"

The woman's delicate fragrance lingered around his nose, and her bright, clear almond-shaped eyes, as if filled with spring rain, stared at him intently. As she approached, in the flickering candlelight, he could even clearly see the fine downy hairs on Xue Rongyue's delicate, fair face, and every breath she exhaled landed precisely on his neck.

His Adam's apple bobbed up and down, and Qin Jin couldn't control the slight twitching of the skin on his neck as Xue Rongyue's breath washed over him, just as he couldn't control the sudden rapid beating of his heart when Xue Rongyue leaned closer.

His eyelashes trembled slightly, and the discipline ingrained in his bones compelled him to immediately lower his eyes, his gaze not falling on anything he shouldn't be looking at.

He stepped back and found a wooden stool to sit on.

Xue Rongyue chuckled and sat down, the kitten in her arms stepping on her arm, eager to pounce on the cakes and soup on the table. Xue Rongyue picked up a cake: "Looks like you're hungry again, little one."

Qin Jin poured himself a cup of cold tea and drank it down. Hearing this, he looked at the food on the table and asked in surprise, "It's already this late, haven't you had your dinner yet?"

Xue Rongyue shook her head: "This food is reserved for the young master."

Meeting Qin Jin's stunned gaze, she explained, "I saw that you fed all the dry food to the wild cats, and I thought that if you didn't have a meal tonight, you could have something to eat first."

She raised her hand and touched the soup bowl: "Unfortunately, it's already cold."

Qin Jin's knuckles trembled slightly with each word Xue Rongyue uttered, his fingertips holding the teacup turned white, and he pursed his thin lips, saying calmly, "I really didn't eat dinner tonight."

"Then, shall I have someone heat it up?"

Before Xue Rongyue could stand up, Qin Jin had already ladled himself a bowl of porridge and said in a low voice, "It's alright, no need to trouble yourself."

Xue Rongyue was about to say that cold porridge is bad for the spleen and stomach, but seeing that he had already started eating, she didn't say anything more.

By the time Qin Jin had finished most of the food on the table and put down his chopsticks, the kitten had also filled its stomach and was sleeping soundly in Xue Rongyue's arms.

Xue Rongyue's gaze fell on an unremarkable token at Qin Jin's waist, and she suddenly asked, "Even the young master has become a bandit."

Qin Jin followed Xue Rongyue's gaze to her waist, and then heard Xue Rongyue slowly say, "I also saw this token on those bandits."

Qin Jin did not deny it.

Xue Rongyue understood a bit, and looked at Qin Jin meaningfully: "Your Highness deliberately let me see this token, didn't you? Otherwise, given your vigilance, if you didn't want me to know, you wouldn't have made such an obvious mistake."

After a moment of silence, Qin Jin sighed helplessly: "You know it in your heart, so why did you say it out loud?"

Xue Rongyue smiled, leaned forward, and asked in a low voice, "Is the young master an undercover agent in that bandit's den?"

Xue Rongyue's thick, curled eyelashes fluttered like small fans as she smiled. Qin Jin, seeing her feigned mystery, couldn't help but smile as well, lowering his voice to match hers: "How did you know?"

"Is that even a question?"

Xue Rongyue rolled her eyes at him and scoffed, "You don't mean to give up your good life as a prince and actually come here to be a bandit."

Qin Jin's peach blossom eyes were exceptionally beautiful. When he looked over, his eyes always held a shimmering, spring-like light, seemingly full of tender affection and deep feelings. They were like hooks, making it impossible to easily escape his gaze.

The curve of his thin lips deepened, Qin Jin raised his eyebrows slightly, and spoke in a low voice in my ear: "Madam Xue is truly exceptionally intelligent."

For some reason, Xue Rongyue's ears felt inexplicably hot. She cleared her throat, trying to hide her annoyance, and snapped, "Stop joking around like that! I'm talking to you about serious business!"

Qin Jin readily agreed, "I'm all ears."

"Is Schumann in the hands of those bandits?"

Xue Rongyue didn't beat around the bush and asked the question directly.

Qin Jin didn't try to hide anything from her: "They kidnapped me and took me to the mountain."

Xue Rongyue pursed her lips and couldn't help but ask, "Why did they kidnap Shuman? In other words, why did they force Shuman to marry the governor of Shangzhou, who is over forty years old, as his second wife?"

"There are many intricacies involved, which I cannot tell you. Knowing them would not be a good thing for you either."

When it came to business, Qin Jin suppressed his smile and said seriously, "I can only tell you that Madam Zheng's life is not in danger at the moment. The bandits are taking her identity into consideration. Although they are keeping her locked up, they are treating her with the utmost care."

"However, if Madam Zheng hesitates to agree, it's hard to say what will happen once their patience runs out."

Xue Rongyue replied, "Are there many bandits on the mountain?"

Qin Jin understood what she meant and shook his head, saying, "It's much more than you imagine. If you try to send someone up the mountain to rescue them, you'll be discovered before you even get to where they're being held."

Although Xue Rongyue had expected this, she still frowned upon hearing it. After pondering a solution for a while, her gaze fell on Qin Jin opposite her: "Your Highness, is it feasible to coordinate from the inside and outside?"

Qin Jin's thin lips curled up almost imperceptibly as he looked up at Xue Rongyue: "That depends on who Madam Xue plans to collude with from the inside."

Xue Rongyue met Qin Jin's gaze, rested her chin on her hand, and smiled sweetly, "How is my young master Ji?"

The upward curve flattened and froze for a moment, and Qin Jin refused without hesitation: "He's not good enough."

Xue Rongyue's smile deepened, and she frowned as if in difficulty: "...Then who should we ask for help?"

Qin Jin's smile vanished completely. He stood up and said indifferently, "Yes, it's difficult to choose who to ask for help. It's really too difficult. Madam Xue, please take your time to think about it."

Xue Rongyue couldn't help but laugh. Knowing when to stop, she grabbed Qin Jin and showered him with praise: "I understand. Of course, we must ask the wise, brave, handsome, dashing, heroic, and dashing Prince Qin for help!"

Qin Jin stopped in his tracks, a look of surprise on his face: "Young Master Qin? Even Young Master Qin won't do."

Xue Rongyue was truly stunned: "Why?"

Qin Jin glanced down at her, a cold laugh escaping his lips: "Because he doesn't help people who lack vision."

"No, please."

Xue Rongyue laughed again: "Stop slandering Prince Qin. He's not a petty person. He'll definitely help me."

Qin Jin raised an eyebrow, leaning lazily against the screen, and asked with feigned ignorance, "Are you so sure? Why would Prince Qin be so certain of helping you?"

Xue Rongyue placed the kitten on the table and walked closer step by step.

As she drew closer, Qin Jin, who had been languidly standing, straightened up slightly, his jaw tightened, and his eyelashes fluttered again, revealing a hint of unease on his usually cold and arrogant face.

He cleared his throat, about to speak, when Xue Rongyue stopped and swiftly pulled him into her arms, accidentally revealing a corner of her purse.

With a smug look, Xue Rongyue shook her purse and looked at Qin Jin with a smile: "Just because the young master is carrying a purse that I embroidered."

Xue Rongyue thought to herself: I can't refuse her money since I've accepted her gift.

The ease and confidence he had shown just moments before vanished instantly with the purse dangling from Xue Rongyue's fingertips. Qin Jin's earlobes turned red immediately, perhaps because he felt indebted to her for accepting her gift.

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Author's Note: The next chapter will be a cataclysmic event for the young master! [doge][doge]