Chapter 9 Ordinary young women don't like to use

The girl in front of him exhaled a fragrant breath, and the two were so close that their breaths intertwined. The wrist he held in his palm was so soft and boneless that it seemed as if it could be broken with the slightest force.

Lu Yuan released his grip, his terrifying aura dissipating. He no longer had the leisure to pursue the slap she had given him. His probing gaze swept over her, as if he were considering the credibility of her words.

Jiang Zhi added, "Where else can I run to if I'm still in the Jiang residence? If they really can't find the assassin in the end, it's not too late for Lord Lu to come and arrest me."

Lu Yuan then curled his lips into a smile. "There's no time like the present. Since Miss Jiang is so willing, let's go together now and let me see if what you said is true."

Jiang Zhi shook her head. "No."

Why is that?

“Lord Lu stepped on my skirt and dirtied it. I need to go back and change,” Jiang Zhi said, completely ignoring Lu Yuan’s dark and murderous gaze. “Besides, it’s not appropriate for Lord Lu to go dressed like this.”

"Oh? Why isn't it suitable?"

"To avoid alerting the enemy, I would like to ask Lord Lu to go back and change into plain clothes, and also remove the Embroidered Spring Knife from his body. Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), I would be grateful if you could wait for me at Xiefang Residence."

If she were to go out with Lu Yuan right now, who knows what kind of rumors would spread.

Seeing her giving him such serious instructions, Lu Yuan found it all quite strange.

Apart from the current emperor, this is the first time anyone has dared to give him such orders.

"Sure, but if you dare to play tricks on me, don't blame me for not being gentle with women."

He narrowed his eyes, the threat in them unmistakable: "Miss Jiang will definitely have a place in the Imperial Prison."

Jiang Zhi extended her hand, "It's a deal."

Lu Yuan looked at her fair hands with fingers as thin as scallion roots, curled his lips, and struck her palm with his own, the touch lasting only for a moment.

He left, supporting himself with his sword.

Before Jiang Zhi could even breathe a sigh of relief, he turned back at the door and let out a cold laugh from his chest, "I've remembered Miss Jiang's two slaps, and I will repay them handsomely in the future."

The dark blue and gold-embroidered robes billowed and disappeared around the corner. Jiang Zhi rubbed her wrist, which was still sore from being pinched, and carefully exhaled.

This Lu Yuan is truly terrifying.

We should find the assassin as soon as possible, so he won't keep targeting us.

In his previous life, Lu Yuan spent a considerable amount of time capturing and bringing this assassin to justice.

Just before he could be thrown into the imperial prison for interrogation, the assassin committed suicide on the way.

Given the methods of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, they would never allow such a thing to happen. The only explanation is that there was a traitor within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the person behind it had connections that made it impossible for the assassin to speak again.

At that time, Jiang Zhi was in the backyard of the Earl Zhongqin's mansion, and only vaguely heard that the assassin came from Puzhao Temple.

However, the person behind the assassin remained unknown, and the case was ultimately left unsolved.

It's unclear whether Lu Yuan failed to find it or whether it involved royal secrets, but it wasn't made public.

It wasn't until she was inside the brothel that she learned some of the details of the case from the man.

But now all of this is irrelevant to her.

She just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

Upon learning of Lu Yuan's departure, Jiang Zhengting immediately came in to inquire.

"What questions did Lord Lu ask you? I saw him leave in a hurry, did you anger him?"

Jiang Zhi slowly said, "Lord Lu said that this matter concerns the assassination of the Crown Prince, and I need to keep it strictly confidential and not mention it to any third party. However, if Father wants to hear it, I will definitely tell you everything I know."

Jiang Zhengting frowned. "Could this matter be related to the Jiang family?"

Jiang Zhi knew his temperament well, so she just shook her head and said, "It's nothing. Lord Lu was just asking about my daughter's situation last night."

"That's fine, as long as it doesn't involve the Jiang family." Jiang Zhengting was relieved to see that Lu Yuan had come to apologize and hadn't taken Jiang Zhi away for questioning.

*

The next day, at Xiefangju.

When Jiang Zhi got off the carriage, she saw Lu Yuan waiting at the door.

He was dressed in dark casual clothes today, the tailored fit was neat and well-fitting, and a black belt was tied around his waist, which made his figure appear even taller and broader. However, his aura was not restrained in the slightest. Even if people did not know his identity, they would automatically walk around him, forming an invisible circle of space.

Jiang Zhi stepped forward and bowed, "Young Master Lu, you have been waiting for a long time."

"Go in." Lu Yuan said sparingly.

Xiefangju specializes in selling rouge, face powder, and incense, offering a wide variety of products, including many rare items from the Western Regions, which are very popular among women in Kyoto.

The servants ushered the two inside. Jiang Zhi browsed around the counter for a while, sniffing each item, but she couldn't find the same scent as that night.

"Miss Jiang, don't forget what you promised me." Lu Yuan couldn't help but remind her, seeing her so relaxed and carefree, as if she were just strolling around town.

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Young Master Lu, please don't be in a hurry. Since the flavor is so special, it won't be placed on the counter for anyone to choose from."

Her gaze fell on Lu Yuan. "I need to ask Young Master Lu for a small favor."

Lu Yuan snorted, but knowing his task for the day, he asked loudly, "Where is the shopkeeper?"

A moment later, a charming woman dressed in rich clothes, with a red-gold peony hairpin tucked behind her ear, stepped forward and asked with a slight smile, "Esteemed guest, I am Manager Fu of Xiefangju. Have my servants ever neglected you, esteemed guest?"

Lu Yuan glanced at her and said, "These ordinary beauties dare to sell themselves. Xiefangju is nothing special."

When Manager Fu saw that Lu Yuan and Jiang Zhi were dressed simply but had outstanding temperament, she knew they were no ordinary guests. She immediately greeted them with a smile and led them to a quiet private room upstairs, where she had the servants serve tea.

“This young master has excellent taste. The finest items from our Xiefangju are not something just anyone can see,” Manager Fu instructed someone to bring a tray, on which were placed many exquisitely packaged rouges and perfumes. “Everything here is a treasure, extremely rare to find on the ordinary market. It would be perfect to give to your beloved.”

Jiang Zhi knew that the shopkeeper had mistaken them for a couple.

Lu Yuan rarely showed his face. Although people in the capital had heard of his name, few had actually seen him.

Since she was wearing a veil, the shopkeeper didn't know her identity, and she didn't bother to reveal it.

Lu Yuan coughed lightly, pressing his fist to his lips, and said, "Hurry up and take it over for a look."

The tray was placed in front of Jiang Zhi.

The rouge and incense burners on top are of various colors, exquisitely crafted, and clearly very valuable.

But Jiang Zhi looked for a long time and still couldn't find what she wanted.

She shook her head at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan's face darkened. "It seems that Xiefang Residence is not as comprehensive as the legends say, but is full of things that are not presentable. Let's go."

Lu Yuan made a move to pull Jiang Zhi away, but Manager Fu stopped him repeatedly.

"Oh dear, look at my memory," she said with a smile. "I recently brought back a rare item from the Western Regions. Ordinary young ladies don't like to use it. If you are interested, I will have someone bring it up right away."