As night falls, the Yongzhou River remains brightly lit and bustling as ever.
A hundred or so painted boats dotted the shimmering water like stars, with lanterns on their bows swaying in the wind, reflecting the shimmering light on the river, like a flowing galaxy.
The song and dance performance officially began. The dancers on the boat were dressed in gorgeous costumes and danced gracefully, like fairies descending to earth, attracting pedestrians on the shore to stop and watch.
Laughter and singing filled the air on the boat, with people embracing and hugging, as if they were in a paradise on earth.
As midnight approached, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Some disembarked by boat, while others chose to spend the night on the pleasure boat.
The hustle and bustle on the river gradually subsided, leaving only the lights of a few painted boats still shining brightly, reflected on the water, appearing particularly lonely.
“Xiuya, this is too dangerous! I’ll go instead!” Uncle Luo stood on the shore, his brows furrowed.
Wang Xiuxiu shook her head. "Uncle, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Only I can do this. If you go, it will only arouse suspicion."
Uncle Luo wanted to persuade her further, but seeing Wang Xiuxiu's resolute expression, he could only sigh and nod helplessly, "Then you must be careful. If anything seems wrong, come back immediately."
Wang Xiuxiu smiled slightly and reassured him, "Don't worry, Uncle, I'll be careful."
After saying that, she boarded a small bamboo raft and slowly sailed towards a painted boat on the river.
The bamboo raft swayed gently on the water, and Wang Xiuxiu's heart rose and fell with it.
This was the only breakthrough that Wang Xiuxiu and her cousin Luo had found after several days of surveillance.
Wang Xiuxiu gripped the bamboo pole tightly, her eyes fixed on the brightly lit pleasure boat, secretly planning how to board.
Just as she was pondering, a sweet, soft laugh suddenly came from the pleasure boat.
"Oh, does the boatman have any fragrant wine?"
Wang Xiuxiu looked up and replied, "Yes, yes!"
The woman poked her head out, her flushed face showing a hint of drunkenness, and said with a smile, "Then I'd like two jars, please trouble the boatman to bring them up."
Wang Xiuxiu was overjoyed and quickly took two jars of wine from the bamboo raft, then climbed up the rope ladder lowered from the painted boat.
Her movements were light and swift, like a nimble little monkey.
Upon entering the cabin, a rich aroma immediately wafted towards you.
The cabin was lavishly decorated, with even the couches covered in brocade and silk.
Inside the cabin, only a man was leaning back on a soft pillow with his eyes closed, and the woman who had called him to board the ship was nowhere to be seen.
Wang Xiuxiu felt a pang of anxiety, but quickly calmed down.
Without hesitation, she knelt down, her knees slamming heavily onto the cold, hard ground with a crisp sound.
She kept her head down, not daring to look the man opposite her in the eye.
The cabin was completely silent, save for the soft flickering of the candlelight, as if even the air itself had frozen.
After a while, the man opposite him stretched lazily, as if he had just woken up from a long slumber.
He squinted at Wang Xiuxiu, who was kneeling on the ground, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
"What's wrong with Miss Wang? Why are you dressed like this?" The man's voice was deep and magnetic, with a hint of teasing and banter.
Wang Xiuxiu trembled, "Your Excellency, I have a complaint to file!"
"Oh? Tell me about it." The man raised an eyebrow with interest, gesturing for her to continue.
Wang Xiuxiu took a deep breath and recounted the whole story in detail, not daring to omit a single detail.
After she finished speaking, she secretly glanced at the man, only to find him looking at her with a playful expression, as if he were enjoying an interesting scene.
"My lord, if any of my words are false, may I be struck by lightning!" Wang Xiuxiu said firmly and sincerely.
However, the man did not respond to her immediately, but remained silent.
The atmosphere inside the cabin grew increasingly oppressive. Wang Xiuxiu was extremely anxious, unsure of what the other party meant.
She gritted her teeth and decided to try again.
"I beg you, Your Excellency, to do me justice." Wang Xiuxiu lowered her head even further, her voice filled with pleading.
"There are so many people in the world, and so many wrongful convictions that need to be addressed. What makes you think I'll stand up for you?" The man's voice remained indifferent, as if he were discussing a trivial matter.
"Besides, how dare I, a mere merchant, fight against the government? You've probably come to the wrong person."
Wang Xiuxiu's heart sank, but she knew she could not back down, nor could she retreat anywhere.
She licked her dry lips, composed herself, and said, "My lord, I dare to guess that your arrival in Yongzhou is related to Du Gaosheng, isn't it?"
Lu Jingze looked at the exceptionally intelligent woman before him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
But soon, his gaze returned to its former calm and aloofness, as if the praise had never been there.
“Continue,” he commanded coldly, looking at Wang Xiuxiu with a blank expression.
"I have no intention of threatening anyone. I only hope that while you are investigating the case, you can also save my innocent friends." Her voice trembled slightly, filled with despair and helplessness.
Lu Jingze moved closer, reached out and lifted Wang Xiuxiu's chin, looking down at her and asking in an icy tone, "I'll say it again, why should I?"
Wang Xiuxiu panicked, her hands clenching tightly together. "I am willing to testify for you; you can use this to retaliate against Du..."
Before he could finish speaking, Lu Jingze interrupted him, "I don't need witnesses, nor do I need evidence."
His voice was deep and cold, as if carrying an unquestionable authority.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart sank completely.
He had used up all his chips.
She raised her head, finally daring to look directly at him, "Then, sir... what exactly do you want?"
Lu Jingze's eyes flashed with a dangerous light. When he looked at Wang Xiuxiu, he was like a wolf in the night, sending chills down one's spine.
If she still couldn't guess what he meant by this point, then she would truly be a fool.
"You...you wouldn't have taken a fancy to me, would you?"
Lu Jingze smiled brightly and asked with great interest, "Wang Xiuxiu, are you testing me?"
"This servant wouldn't dare!"
Lu Jingze released her chin, turned around and sat back on the soft couch, his gaze cold. "You are very smart, but don't try to use your cleverness on me."
Wang Xiuxiu lowered her head, not daring to utter a word.
"Not going to speak? Then I'll be blunt. You want to remind me of my past as a slave, are you trying to disgust me? If I cared about that, I wouldn't be seeing you today."
His tone was calm, but every word was like a knife, piercing straight to the heart.
Wang Xiuxiu's face turned pale instantly.
"As for you, go back and think carefully about whether those two friends are worth it."
Lu Jingze stared sharply at Wang Xiuxiu, as if he could see through her thoughts.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart sank. She gritted her teeth and said in a low voice, "My lord, I understand."
The man didn't say anything more, but simply waved his hand, indicating that she could leave.
Wang Xiuxiu slowly stood up, her knees feeling numb from kneeling for so long.
She suppressed her discomfort and turned to leave the cabin.
When she disembarked, her steps were unsteady, and she almost fell to the ground.
Upon seeing this, Uncle Luo quickly stepped forward to support her and anxiously asked, "Xiu'er, what's wrong? What happened?"
She took a deep breath, suppressed the bitterness in her heart, and forced a smile.
"It's alright. The important person's aura is too strong. Uncle, let's go back."
When Uncle Luo noticed that her expression was off, he wanted to ask her more questions, but Wang Xiuxiu had already turned around and gone ashore, her back view looking particularly thin.
Uncle Luo sighed and had no choice but to follow.
As night deepened, the lights on the river gradually went out, leaving only the faint glow of a few painted boats flickering in the darkness.
Wang Xiuxiu sat on the oxcart, staring blankly at the water behind her.
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