Chapter 276 The Most Taboo Thing in Our Line of Work

Jiang Zhi was also startled by her bluntness, "Jiang Xue, what are you saying? Nothing happened between me and Lord Lu."

“I understand, I understand,” Jiangxue winked at her and smiled alluringly, “I was saying how you got back so quickly, what were you thinking?”

Jiang Xue, a veteran of countless battles, noticed that Jiang Zhi's eyes were filled with spring-like allure, her eyes were moist, her lip rouge was gone, and her clothes were no longer as neat and tidy as before.

Nothing was done? You're kidding me.

However, she was only acting on impulse just now. Who would dare to say he was fast in front of the commander? They must have a death wish.

“That’s what I meant too,” Jiang Zhi said awkwardly, touching her nose. Remembering what she wanted to ask, “Can you tell me about Hong Xuan now?”

Jiang Xue glanced at Lu Yuan, indicating whether there was any problem with him just standing there.

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Don't worry about him, let's talk about our own things."

Just now, Jiang Zhi mentioned Hong Xuan's matter to Lu Yuan. Lu Yuan was worried that this matter involved Prince Xiang and Xiao Yunheng, and that it was not safe for her, so he offered to come with her.

Jiangxue was somewhat embarrassed.

How could she possibly ignore Lord Lu, who was so tall and imposing with such a strong presence, and pretend he didn't exist?

Jiang Zhi noticed Jiang Xue's predicament and frowned at Lu Yuan, "Why don't you go sit over there and not stand here?"

Jiang Xue was so shocked that she stepped forward and covered Jiang Zhi's lips, whispering in her ear, "Are you out of your mind? How dare you talk to him like that? Even if he's interested in you, it's just a passing fancy. You should be more careful with men..."

Jiang Xue swallowed the rest of her words.

Because she saw that the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who was cold and ruthless in the eyes of everyone, actually nodded obediently and sat down on a stool in the corner.

His back was straight, his posture relaxed, and he seemed to have no dissatisfaction with her words.

Jiang Xue's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Jiang Zhi urged her, "Jiang Xue, hurry up and tell me. It would be terrible if my husband found out when I got home late."

Lu Yuan snorted coldly, expressing his dissatisfaction.

Jiang Xue couldn't help but secretly give Jiang Zhi a thumbs up in her heart again.

Wow, sister, you dare to say something like that.

She cleared her throat and slowly began to recall her childhood memories.

“I was only four or five years old at that time. My aunt Hongxuan was good to me. When she was in a good mood, she would buy me snacks.”

"Later I figured out the pattern. Every time that tall and thin uncle came over, Aunt Hongxuan would be in a good mood, and I would get lots of delicious food. So whenever that uncle came, I would be happy too."

"Later I found out that he was Prince Xiang, but at that time I had no concept of status and position, I just looked forward to his arrival every day."

"But one day, after he came out of Aunt Hongxuan's room, Aunt Hongxuan fell seriously ill and soon died. Brothel girls don't have many rules; when they die, they are simply wrapped in a straw mat and thrown into a mass grave by the madam's men."

"He's really dead?" Jiang Zhi couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, as she had originally thought she could get some useful information.

Jiangxue shook her head. "Everyone thought Aunt Hongxuan was dead, but I was too young then. I thought she was just asleep, and I even secretly followed her to the mass grave..."

"But I never expected to see Aunt Hongxuan wake up and be taken away by two strange men. I never saw her again after that."

"When I returned to Qifeng Tower, I asked the madam why this was happening. She said I had seen a ghost and that if I dared to talk nonsense again, she would throw me into a mass grave. After that, I had a high fever and never dared to mention it again after I woke up."

Then came the marriage of Prince Xiang to Princess Xiang, and less than a year later, he died in battle.

Jiang Zhi and Lu Yuan exchanged a glance.

It seems that Hongxuan must know a lot of things, otherwise she wouldn't have used illness as a pretext to die.

"Do you know where Hongxuan is now?" Jiang Zhi asked her.

"I don't know. I haven't heard from her since then, and I don't know if she's still in Kyoto." Jiangxue said, "That's all I know, and I've told you everything."

Jiang Zhi thought for a moment and asked her, "Does Hongxuan have any maids or close friends around her?"

"No, the maid who accompanied her also fell ill and died a few days later. It is said that she was infected by Hongxuan. The madam was afraid that it would harm the other girls in the building, so she sealed off her room. It was not reopened for several years."

"Aunt Hongxuan has always been a loner and doesn't have many friends she can talk to."

This is going to be a bit tricky.

Finding the whereabouts of a woman who died of a serious illness more than a decade ago and then faked her death would likely be a lifelong endeavor without extraordinary means.

Jiang Zhi looked at Lu Yuan, "It seems that this matter can only be troubled by Lord Lu."

Lu Yuan nodded. "It's getting late today. Tomorrow I will personally bring people over to draw a portrait based on Miss Jiangxue's description, and then secretly send people to search for her."

“Alright,” Jiang Zhi said, “Please have Lord Lu give the order to keep this strictly confidential, otherwise if Hongxuan is still alive, revealing her whereabouts could harm her.”

"Don't worry," Lu Yuan naturally understood the implications, "but I have to see you here tomorrow—that's what you owe me."

“…Okay.” Jiang Zhi’s heart skipped a beat, and she replied softly.

How could he say such a thing with other people present?

A rare smile appeared on Lu Yuan's face.

If she falls into his hands tomorrow, he won't let her off so easily.

Seeing the two discussing as if no one else was around, and with a hint that Lu Yuan was being arranged by Jiang Zhi, Jiang Xue's eyes widened even more.

Who doesn't know that the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is ruthless, cruel, and merciless? Apart from the current emperor, who would dare to speak to him like that?

Jiang Xue couldn't help but scrutinize Jiang Zhi more closely.

Who exactly is this woman, and what charm does she possess that allowed her to seduce someone like Lu Yuan in just one time?

She pulled Jiang Zhi behind the screen and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Sister, tell me honestly, is Lord Lu... powerful? Did he make you feel good?"

Jiang Zhi nearly choked on her own saliva, her face flushing red. "Jiang Xue, don't you know what you're asking? We've already said we didn't do anything!"

"Alright, you can't escape your sister's sharp eyes," Jiangxue pinched her cheek. "Do you two look like you're just chatting under the covers?"

Jiang Zhi was stunned.

Is it that obvious?

Jiangxue cupped her face in her hands, finding her dazed expression somewhat adorable.

"Don't you think Lord Lu is brave and mighty, and so obedient to you, making you unable to stop admiring him?"

Jiang Zhi thought for a moment.

That's true.

Although Lu Yuan was cold and impatient with everyone, he had saved her many times and indeed often indulged her every whim.

Jiang Xue knew from Jiang Zhi's expression that her suspicions were correct.

“Don’t blame me for not reminding you,” she suddenly said seriously, tapping Jiang Zhi’s nose. “The most taboo thing in our line of work is falling in love with a customer.”