Chapter 72 Qing Ping Yue (Part Two) She was far too generous to him. ...
Ye Mu was stunned.
His lips were cool.
Her fingertips involuntarily recoiled, and Xie Yicheng, thinking she was trying to escape, bit her lip lightly.
"Yi Cheng." Ye Mu's eyes were also wet with tears. She looked at his lowered eyebrows and thin lips, and a shiver ran through her body. Even her toes curled up uncontrollably. "You're going to eat me up."
Her voice was soft and gentle, and Xie Yicheng slowly lifted his eyelids to look at her.
His face was as serene as a distant mountain shrouded in mist, yet his teeth and lips held an indescribable desire.
He put his other hand around her waist and pulled her forward, getting closer.
Ye Mu felt the soft pressure of his lips on her fingertips, and she subconsciously clenched his clothes, causing the brocade quilt to slip down, revealing everything.
Desire, it turns out, has the same origin as appetite; both are inherently insatiable. Faced with the vibrant and enticing scene before him, Xie Yicheng suddenly had this thought: the Buddha had not truly mistreated his food, but had simply reserved the most exquisite delicacies in the world for him.
She was far too generous to him.
"Yi Cheng, let me go clean up."
Upon hearing this, Xie Yicheng took her hand and asked, "Do you want to wash your hands?"
"No." Ye Mu was embarrassed and bit her lip without saying anything.
Xie Yicheng followed her gaze and saw a new puddle of saliva on the bed. He understood and gave a soft "hmm," then said, "I'll help you."
The luminous pearl beside the couch glowed with a warm, shimmering light, its subtle movement blending into a blurred shadow on the wall.
She thought he was going to boil water, but his kiss landed on another jade bead instead.
So that's how it's cleaned.
Ye Muyu suddenly stretched out her arm, her fingers awkwardly threading through his short, dark hair.
“Tell me,” his voice came muffled, tinged with water, “has anything happened these past few days?”
Her thoughts were already scattered and fragmented; how could she possibly piece together a complete sentence? But he, not content with that, insisted on her speaking, albeit vaguely.
Tomorrow he will head north back to Beijing, and she will go to Suzhou Prefecture. Tonight is the only time they can spend together properly.
"I learned how to pick locks, opened the signing room, but found no clues."
Ye Mu felt ashamed to herself that he was also unlocking the lock, patiently manipulating the spring clips in the tight slots. He must be the most skilled locksmith, she thought, as she heard herself making soft clicking sounds all over the place.
He understood the intricacies better than she did.
Ye Mu clutched his short hair tightly. After a moment of blankness in her mind, she suddenly felt fortunate that he had entered a monastic life all these years and become a monk. Otherwise, with his looks and talent, in an ordinary scholarly family, he would have been engaged long ago, becoming someone else's ideal husband and beloved husband... How could he have ended up being the sole recipient of this radiant beauty, savoring this intoxicating pleasure?
This thought made her already burning ears burn even more, yet a strange, devout joy welled up in her heart. She felt as if there were truly bodhisattvas and Buddhas who had carefully preserved this rare and beautiful jade for so many years, just for her.
Seeing that she was already weak and tired after being teased a few times, Xie Yicheng, remembering that she had important matters to attend to the next day, finally restrained himself from being more unrestrained. After carefully cleaning her up, he took a shower himself and then lay down with her.
The two lay in each other's arms, whispering to each other for a while, before Ye Mu finally fell into a deep sleep beside him.
-
The next day, as soon as the first hint of dawn appeared on the horizon, Ye Mu got up.
In the dim bronze mirror, a completely different face was reflected. The skin was sallow, the eyebrows were lowered, and a special ointment was used to make a slightly raised Adam's apple like a man's. The Ye Mu who had been so charming and radiant last night had been carefully concealed. Standing in front of the mirror now was Ye Mu, the taciturn clerk in the county government office.
A pair of warm arms wrapped around her from behind, and Xie Yicheng's chin rested lightly on her shoulder. "Today is different from usual. There are many people around, so prioritize your own safety and don't be reckless."
Ye Mu nodded slightly, leaned back, and was about to say something when he heard someone call out from the doorway, "Secretary Ye, are you up? The county magistrate's carriage is waiting at the alley entrance."
Judging from that voice, it's the old coachman with the loudest voice in the county government's stable.
Knowing it was time to leave, Ye Mu turned around and tiptoed to place a quick and light kiss on Xie Yicheng's lips. She was about to retreat as if skimming the water, but he wouldn't let her back off so easily. In the instant she pulled away, he grabbed the back of her neck and kissed her again.
Only when the urging voices outside started again did he slowly release her, his eyes gentle, "Let's go."
Once inside the carriage, Zhou Chongli was already seated, resting with his eyes closed. Ye Mu bowed and sat down opposite him, saying in a low voice, "My lord."
Zhou Chongli raised his eyelids, his gaze sweeping across her face. He paused slightly, noticing that her lips seemed more moist and rosy than usual.
Perhaps he just woke up.
He didn't think much of it and just gave a faint "hmm".
The carriage had traveled no more than ten paces when Ye Mu, who had been keeping his head down and quiet all along, suddenly exclaimed "Oh dear!" and raised his head, his face showing embarrassment: "My lord, please forgive me. I came out in a hurry just now and it seems that I forgot to lock the courtyard gate. Please allow me to turn back for a moment, and I will be back soon!"
After turning back, Zhou Chongli waved his hand, signaling to hurry up.
He sat in the car, listening to the footsteps fade into the distance. After a moment, he used his index finger to lift the bamboo curtain by the car window and looked into the depths of the alley.
In the misty morning air, he did see Ye Mu standing in front of the wooden door, raising his hand to bolt it, his movements natural and without any sign of anything amiss.
However, in that fleeting glance, a corner of a dark robe fluttered out, like a hawk's shadow, and then vanished in an instant.
Zhou Chongli's fingers paused at the edge of the bamboo curtain, his gaze deepened, and he slowly lowered the curtain.
The carriage headed towards Suzhou city, the wheels making a monotonous sound. Ye Mu was tired and fell asleep against the carriage wall shortly after getting in. Zhou Chongli watched her slump over, and after a while, he found a soft pillow to lean on for her.
She tilted her head, her neckline slightly open, revealing a bright red spot, like cinnabar, on her skin near the hollow of her collarbone close to her shoulder.
The imprint is fresh, the colors are vibrant, and the shape is ambiguous.
Zhou Chongli's gaze fixed on that spot.
In late spring, the weather is still slightly cool and far from being infested with mosquitoes, so this mark is unlikely to be caused by any insect bite.
Even from this position, she couldn't kiss him herself.
The wheels continued to roll forward.
Zhou Chongli stared at the red dot. So Xie Yicheng had come again? They were so reluctant to part, unable to bear even this brief separation. They had to use the excuse of turning back to bolt the door to run back and whisper sweet nothings to each other again.
She probably has more than just that.
Zhou Chongli scoffed, withdrew his arm, placed the soft pillow behind his back, looked at her for a while, then felt a headache coming on, so he simply closed his eyes.
Ye Xingjian's residence, with its open pavilion overlooking the water, was sparsely populated, truly a place for quiet conversation and small gatherings.
Ye Mu lowered his head and followed Zhou Chongli half a step into the pavilion.
When her gaze fell upon her elder brother, her breath caught slightly.
Ye Xingjian looked a bit thinner than when he left the capital. He wore a simple, lake-blue robe, which made him appear even more gentle and refined. He was chatting with an older scholar sitting next to him with a smile, and the faint shadows under his eyes betrayed the tedium of his official duties.
“Brother Xingjian,” Zhou Chongli stepped forward with a smile, stepping aside to make way for Ye Mu behind him, “This is Ye Mu, a new scribe in our yamen’s accounting department. He’s from Wanping and hasn’t been in Wujiang for long. He’s quite diligent and meticulous in his work. I’m bringing him out today to broaden his horizons. Ye Mu, why don’t you greet Lord Ye?”
Ye Mu steeled himself and stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "This humble servant, Ye Mu, greets Lord Ye. I wish you good health and longevity."
Ye Xingjian's gaze naturally shifted over.
His gaze remained gentle, as if he were looking at any ordinary clerk who had come with his superior. Then, it slid away and fell back on Zhou Chongli, and he smiled and continued the previous topic, "Brother Chongli, you are very thoughtful. Clerk Ye seems to be a steady person, and it is a good thing for him to gain experience under your command."
Her brother showed no sign of distress, and Ye Mu's tense nerves relaxed slightly. Perhaps he really hadn't recognized her.
The banquet proceeded in a harmonious atmosphere.
As the birthday celebrant, Ye Xingjian was gentle and dignified in his demeanor and speech. He discussed poetry and essays with everyone, and also had unique insights into local customs and people's livelihoods.
It wasn't until a break in the toasts that he turned to Ye Mu and, as if having a casual conversation, asked in a gentle voice, "Ye, are you settling in well at the Wujiang County government office?"
How could he not recognize him? The features of his eyebrows and eyes were all too familiar.
He never expected that a few days ago he would receive a letter from the capital saying that his fourth sister, who had been "married off" to the Tiele, would appear in Suzhou, which was under his jurisdiction, and at his birthday banquet in this way.
She had no idea what kind of heart-wrenching helplessness and self-blame he had experienced these past few days.
Ye Xingjian felt a surge of bitterness in his heart, but he still tried to remain calm on the surface. "The humidity in Jiangnan is high, unlike in the north. Are you used to the food and daily life?"
Ye Mu nodded, "Thank you for your concern, sir. I am able to adapt."
Midway through the banquet, a commotion suddenly arose outside the open pavilion, with shouts and arguments faintly mingling between them.
A servant hurried over and whispered a few words in Ye Xingjian's ear. The latter's eyes narrowed slightly, and he stood up to apologize to the guests, "Please sit for a while, everyone. There are some trivial matters to attend to at home. I will be right back."
He had only been gone a moment when the arguing outside not only didn't subside, but intensified, threatening to escalate into a physical fight. Zhou Chongli put down his celadon teacup and said to Ye Mu beside him, "Come and see for yourself."
Upon reaching the vicinity of the moon gate connecting to the front courtyard, Ye Xingjian was seen blocking the entrance, confronting a young man with an arrogant and domineering expression.
The man was followed by four or five burly servants, who looked menacing. They were none other than Wang Yong, the younger brother of the Suzhou prefect's favorite concubine and a notorious playboy in Suzhou.
"Lord Ye!" Wang Yong's voice was rude, showing no regard for the occasion. "Today is your birthday celebration, and I shouldn't be disturbing you! But someone gave me a definite answer, saying that there is a very important guest hiding in your banquet full of distinguished guests. He has several unclear legal cases on his hands and has fled from the capital."
"I'm doing this for your own good, afraid you'll be misled by treacherous people and get into trouble! Why don't you let a few of us ignorant servants go in and take a look, search the place, and clear your name? What do you say?"
“Young Master Wang, everyone here today is a close friend of mine. There is no one as you described. This mansion is not a place for anyone to search. Please show some respect.”
Wang Yong chuckled, pulled a rough magazine from his sleeve, unfolded it, and saw a blurry profile of a boy with dull eyes, drawn with clumsy strokes.
He held up the magazine, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Whether it's a rumor or not, we can find out by comparing them."
Ye Mu glanced at the painting and saw that the person in the painting was indeed her. She didn't understand why such a statement would be made, but the person in question seemed to have ill intentions. If she were caught by him, her identity would be exposed. Ye Mu subconsciously took a half step back to the side.
"Hey, you!" Wang Yong saw Ye Mu hiding behind Zhou Chongli and gestured for the servants to come forward. "Come here!"
Ye Mu's heart pounded wildly. Zhou Chongli stepped forward and stood in front of Ye Mu.
“Young Master Wang,” his voice carried a solemn official air, “Today is Lord Ye’s birthday, and all the guests are present. You are holding these paintings and images of unknown origin, without any evidence, yet you want to forcibly search the residence of a court official and disrupt the birthday banquet. What do you think of the laws of the court and the conduct of officials?”
His tone turned cold. "If you truly have solid evidence and identify someone, you should submit a written statement to the Suzhou Prefectural Government or the relevant authorities for investigation and prosecution according to the law. Young Master Wang, do you intend for me to immediately write a letter to report today's events to the Governor?"
These words struck Wang Yong squarely, his face flushing red and then pale. He glared at Zhou Chongli, but ultimately dared not confront him in front of so many officials.
"...Fine! Lord Zhou! What a silver tongue you have!" Wang Yong gritted his teeth, crumpling the poster into a ball. "Today I'll give you, and Lord Ye, this face! We'll see!"
After uttering those harsh words, he and his servants stormed off in a huff.
Although the storm has been temporarily suppressed, Wang Yong is unlikely to let it go. If Ye Mu continues to stay here, not only will he be in danger, but he will also bring endless troubles to his brother.
“Brother Xingjian, Wang Yong’s arrival is suspicious. He is clearly acting under someone’s orders and came prepared. He will definitely take further action.” Zhou Chongli said, “Scribe Ye came with me today. He is someone I brought with me. It would be better for me to take him away from your residence temporarily, just to be on the safe side and to avoid any complications that might disturb your peace, Brother Xingjian.”
Ye Xing pondered for a moment and said, “Brother Chongli is right. But since Wang Yong has already become suspicious, the checkpoints outside the city have probably gotten wind of it as well. How can we leave the city in this state? Why don’t we have Secretary Ye stay in a secluded place in my residence for the time being and wait out this storm?”
"That's not appropriate. Staying here might make us the target of everyone's criticism, and it could even bring trouble to your household."
Ye Xingjian was well aware of the implications. He looked at Ye Mu, his eyes filled with even greater struggle, and his lips moved slightly as if he had made a decision. There was only one way to proceed.
However, before he could utter a sound, his cuff tightened.
Ye Mu was beside him, tightly gripping his sleeve to stop him from speaking.
Ye Mu guessed what her brother was going to say: he wanted her to switch back to being a woman.
But this pulling and tugging did not escape Zhou Chongli's eyes. He took half a step forward and slowly let the net out. "Brother Xingjian, I see that you and Secretary Ye seem to be old acquaintances? Just now, in your anxiety, your concern was evident in your words, which is not like that of an ordinary superior and subordinate."
Ye Mu looked up and met Zhou Chongli's deep, unfathomable eyes, which held a knowing, playful look.
He once said that he loved watching cats catch mice, waiting for the right moment, and the outcome would be decided immediately by their claws.
Ye Mu now strongly suspects that Wang Yong's arrival, so coincidental, with a portrait in hand and a clear target, is very likely arranged by Zhou Chongli.
So he's waiting. Waiting to see how they'll panic and fall into his trap.
The goal was to force her and her brother to recognize each other in a moment of desperation, thus completely tearing away the pretense she had maintained for months.
"To be honest, Brother Chongli..." Ye Xingjian began.
Ye Mu called out softly, trying to stop him, "Lord Ye!"
Ye Xingjian gently patted Ye Mu's tightly clenched hand, shielding her behind him. "This matter concerns my younger sister's reputation and safety, so I dare not hide it any longer. This 'Ye Mu' is actually my younger sister Ye Mu in disguise."
"Oh?" Zhou Chongli raised an eyebrow slightly. "Is that so? Secretary Ye... no, I should call you Miss Ye now. I never expected you to be so good at hiding your identity. Even I almost misjudged you."
But there wasn't a trace of "unexpected" in his tone; there was only a sense of composure that everything was under control, and a hint of smug satisfaction.
Ye Mu lowered her eyes. She finally understood why he said it wouldn't be too late to discuss it at her brother's banquet.
Although she wasn't sure if Wang Yong was acting on his orders, she believed that regardless of whether this farce happened today or not, Zhou Chongli had plenty of ways to force the siblings to recognize each other and leave her nowhere to hide.
Ye Mu saw the slight twitch at the corner of his lips; he must have realized long ago that she was a woman.
"Given the current situation, with Wang Yong eyeing us covetously from the outside, if my sister were to leave the city disguised as a man, it would be tantamount to walking into a trap."
Ye Xingjian had no time to dwell on the subtle nuances in Zhou Chongli's words; his mind was entirely focused on Ye Mu's safety. "The only solution now is to have my sister change back into women's clothing and dress up a bit. Perhaps that will allow her to slip out of the city unnoticed."
"That's a good idea, though it's a bit risky, it's the most feasible solution right now."
Zhou Chongli glanced at Ye Mu, a triumphant look in his eyes. "There's no time to lose, Miss Ye. Please go and change your clothes quickly. I'll have someone prepare the carriage and meet you at the back gate."
Ye Mu was filled with resentment. Although she suspected that Wang Yong was someone he had arranged, she was not certain. Moreover, her brother clearly believed her, so she had no choice but to take this last resort.
"Alright, thank you for your trouble, Brother Chongli." Ye Xingjian turned to Ye Mu and whispered, "Fourth Sister, come with me."
Fourth Sister.
It turns out her nickname was Si Niang.
Zhou Chongli's smile deepened slightly as he watched her grit her teeth, feeling an even greater sense of satisfaction at meeting a worthy opponent.
——
When Qinghe was hurriedly summoned into the back room by Ye Xingjian, she was holding a set of clean cloths in her hands. She was taken aback when she saw that in addition to the eldest young master, there was also a strange young man with a sallow complexion in the room.
After Ye Xingjian gave a brief explanation and Ye Mu began to remove the disguise from her face, Qinghe's eyes widened, and she almost dropped the cloth in her hand. "Fourth Miss? Is it really you?"
Ye Xingjian stood to the side, watching his sister wash away her makeup and reveal her long-lost true face.
The charm in his eyes remained unchanged, but perhaps due to the trials of the past few months, he had shed some of the pampered softness of the noble family and gained a more resilient quality.
His heart ached, and his throat tightened. In the end, he simply put on a stern face and scolded in a low voice, "Ye Mu, you really are... Once this storm has passed, I will definitely ask you a good question about what kind of nonsense you've been up to these past few days."
He said no more, turned to Qinghe who was still in shock and instructed, "Don't stand there, quickly help Fourth Miss change her clothes, and be quick."
After saying that, he gave Ye Mu a deep look, turned around, and pushed the door open to leave.
The door closed gently.
Qinghe hurriedly picked up the cloth from the ground and frantically opened the chest. She had been a third-class maid in the Wang family's courtyard when she was in the Marquis's residence, so she wasn't very familiar with this fourth young lady. Her impression of her was that of a lively, cheerful, and somewhat naive noblewoman.
However, in the past six months, she has heard the name "Fourth Sister" countless times in the young master's repeated painful murmurs after he got drunk, and felt the heavy, suffocating emotions behind that name.
"Qinghe, it's been a long time." Ye Mu's voice pulled her back from her daze. Ye Mu had already quickly taken off his outer robe and was untying the binding bodice underneath. His movements were so swift that Qinghe was startled. "Are you and your brother doing well in Suzhou?"
As Ye Mu asked the question, he also accepted the moon-white silk dress that Qing He handed him.
Qinghe nodded hurriedly and stepped forward to tie her sash. "It's all good. Young Master is doing well, but he often thinks about the capital, especially about you, Miss."
Her voice trailed off as she recalled the letter from the capital a few days earlier.
She couldn't read many words and didn't know exactly what was written. She only remembered that after the young master finished reading it, his face turned deathly pale, and his fingers rustled as he gripped the letter.
That night, the young master dismissed everyone and went to his study alone, where he drank two whole jugs of strong liquor.
She was worried, so she secretly went to check on him late at night. She found him drunk and slumped over the table, repeatedly calling out "Fourth Sister".
Suddenly, the young master reached out and grabbed her wrist, which was about to support him, with astonishing force.
In the darkness, his breath was hot and heavy with the smell of alcohol, pulling her closer. His burning lips landed haphazardly on her neck and shoulders, sucking them red, while his large hands roughly ravaged her body, his lust consuming her.
But just as he pressed her against the edge of the cold sandalwood table and bowed, the young master seemed to be suddenly awakened by something, and his movements came to an abrupt halt.
A flicker of extreme pain crossed his muddled eyes. He quickly straightened her disheveled clothes, clumsily tied her sash, then slumped to the ground, burying his face in his hands, whispering in despair, "I can't... I can't do this to Fourth Sister..."
That night, the young master leaned against his desk, disheveled, and curled up on the floor to sleep, his brows furrowed, as if trapped in an endless nightmare.
Qinghe could not explain any of this to Ye Mu in front of her.
In truth, she didn't mind at all; in fact, she even felt that if this could allow the young master to vent even a little bit of his unsettled pain, it would be a good thing.
The young master treated her very well, never treating her like a servant. He taught her to read and write, to do accounts, and had a tailor make her fashionable clothes. He respected her.
Qinghe felt more heartache than anything else, heartache for the young master's deep-seated torment, which could not be seen in the light and was destined to be hopeless.
"Since Fourth Miss is also in Jiangsu Prefecture," Qinghe suppressed her turbulent emotions, picked up a wooden comb, and carefully combed Ye Mu's long, flowing black hair after the cloth covering was removed, asking cautiously, "Will you be able to meet with Young Master more often in the future?"
Looking through the bronze mirror at the sincere concern in Qinghe's eyes behind him, Ye Mu felt a lump in his throat and a pang of sadness. "Qinghe, thank you."
She reached out and gently grasped Qinghe's hand, which was tying her hair. The hand was slightly calloused from years of work, but it was warm and strong. "I feel very reassured that my brother has someone as considerate as you to take care of him. As for whether we will stay together or part ways, we'll see what happens in the future."
With an uncertain future and numerous crises lurking around her, how could she dare to make any promises lightly?
The moon-white silk dress she changed into was Qinghe's own clothes, a style commonly seen among maids of officials or young ladies from humble families in the Suzhou and Hangzhou area. It was well-tailored, clean, and refreshing.
Ye Mu knew that, given her brother's character, the fact that he allowed his personal maid to have such decent private clothes showed that he had a certain level of trust and affection for Qinghe.
Qinghe, with her skillful hands, quickly styled Ye Mu's hair into a simple updo, inserting a plain silver hairpin at an angle, with the rest of her hair softly hanging down her shoulders. She then took some light face powder and applied a touch of lip rouge to Ye Mu's face.
Once the makeup was done, Qinghe took two steps back and examined it carefully.
The girl reflected in the bronze mirror had her hair lightly tied up, her face lightly made up, and her moon-white silk dress accentuated her slender figure, exuding a natural elegance.
But her eyes were brighter and more spirited than those of ordinary young ladies, with a sharp glint in them, and a resilient strength hidden within her gentleness.
"Fourth Miss..." Qinghe's eyes were filled with amazement, "You are so kind."
It is a woman like this who deserves to be cherished so much by the young master. Even if it is immoral and against the natural order, he cannot escape or let go of her. She will keep this secret for the young master, keeping it buried deep inside.
"Fourth Sister, is everything ready?" Ye Xingjian's voice rang out from outside the door. "We need to hurry."
The door opened slightly, revealing the beautiful spring scenery under the eaves. Ye Mu stepped out of the threshold, her skirt swaying gently.
Ye Xingjian stood under the eaves, looking at her against the light, his heart surging with emotions: the excitement of a long-awaited reunion, the worry about her situation, and the self-reproach for his inability to protect her.
But it ultimately turned into a urging voice, "Let's go, through the back door."
Deep in the alley, the carriage was already waiting.
Ye Mu lifted her skirt and quickly boarded the carriage. Before entering the carriage, she turned back and looked at her brother's figure standing at the alley entrance. The spring breeze fluttered his lake-blue robes, making him appear somewhat lonely. "Brother, take care."
Ye Xingjian nodded, stepped forward and quickly stuffed a heavy purse into her hand, "Be careful on the road. Once you've settled in Wujiang, please ask Brother Chongli to find a way to send back a message that you're safe."
Without further hesitation, Ye Mu bent down and climbed into the carriage, sat down, and listened to Zhou Chongli and Ye Xingjian's brief farewell outside. Then, the curtain was lifted, and Zhou Chongli bent down and came in, sitting directly opposite her.
The space inside the carriage suddenly felt cramped, and his presence was so strong that it was impossible to ignore.
The wheels rolled over the stone road, the rumbling sound gradually increasing.
"Wang Yong was someone you arranged, wasn't he?"
Without titles or pleasantries, Ye Mu's question shattered all the tacit pretenses, exposing the conspiracy within the carriage.
Zhou Chongli chuckled softly, the sound short and quickly drowned out by the sound of wheels.
He didn't answer directly, but instead, taking advantage of the spring light shining through the half-rolled bamboo curtain, he generously gazed at the now different woman opposite him.
Having washed away the makeup, with her black hair and simple clothes, the girl sitting there now is like a long-forgotten sword that has been wiped clean of its dust, revealing its original clear and bright light.
His beauty goes without saying, but what is even more captivating is the clear and cool aura between his brows and his bright and shining eyes. This appearance is even more breathtaking than he had imagined.
“Wang Yong,” Zhou Chongli said slowly, “is a complete fool, greedy for money and profit, illiterate, and easily manipulated.”
Ye Mu's fingertips, resting on her knees, curled slightly.
Zhou Chongli met her sharp gaze and continued, "A few days ago, I had someone deliver a portrait to him, saying that a distinguished guest had arrived at Ye Xingjian's residence today, hiding someone who was involved in several unresolved lawsuits in the capital. I also promised him a shop outside the city."
It was indeed his doing.
There was no city-wide manhunt or any trap set up in the sky. Once she left the Ye residence, no one would look for her. It was just a carefully orchestrated hunting game targeting her and her brother.
Ye Mu calmed down instead, saying, "You made me look ugly."
Zhou Chongli was taken aback, then burst out laughing. "Fourth Sister, you are indeed clever and interesting. It's just that your taste isn't very good."
His gaze shifted, then moved downwards, landing on the slightly looser neckline of her dress, where, beneath her delicate collarbone, a deep red hickey was clearly visible against her fair skin.
Why choose a monk?
Ye Mu followed his gaze and looked down at the mark. Her expression did not change. She lifted a corner of the bamboo curtain beside her. The carriage was passing by a courtyard wall, and several red wild roses in full bloom were sticking out from the top of the wall.
Ye Mu reached out and casually plucked a rose. In front of Zhou Chongli, she pinned the rose to her collar, just enough to conceal the mark.
The scarlet flowers, set against her moon-white dress, highlighted her delicate and beautiful face. Far from concealing her beauty, they added a touch of provocative allure, making her even more captivating.
"Lord Zhou went to such lengths, going through all this trouble," Ye Mu looked up and smiled at him, "just to force me to take off this men's robe and reveal my true form?"
"Troublesome?" Zhou Chongli looked at the red flower on her collar, his eyes darkening, a lazy and playful look in his eyes. "I think it's quite interesting."
She herself may not realize that she is too decisive in her actions. Riding alone into the forest to chase ferocious beasts and picking flowers are both very tempting.
“I think we know each other a bit better now.” Ye Mu looked directly at him. “Why don’t you tell me first, Lord Zhou, what do you want me to do?”
"When a man goes to great lengths to make a woman obey him," Zhou Chongli chuckled, "what do you think is usually the reason?"
Ye Mu remained calm. "I don't believe that Lord Zhou is such a superficial person."
Zhou Chongli remained silent for a moment.
How could he not have it? She overestimated him. Of course, this could just be her excuse; she's always been a master of disguise.
Zhou Chongli curled his lips into a smile, the frivolity gone, revealing his true intentions: "Behind you is the Crown Prince, isn't it?"
Ye Mu remained silent, his silence serving as the answer.
“Very good.” Zhou Chongli nodded. “I want Crown Prince Xiao Zhen’s private seal and signature.”
"The Crown Prince would not sign a document out of thin air."
"With a mind as sharp as Fourth Sister's, surely there's a way?" Zhou Chongli laughed. "Your secret network that goes directly to the capital is much easier to use than ours, who are out in the open, isn't it?"
Ye Mu suddenly realized, "You want the Crown Prince's signature for those two account books? You want to forge evidence to make it seem like the embezzlement of the Wujiang County river works funds and the flow of the 50,000 taels of silver was authorized or embezzled by the Crown Prince?"
She finally understood how he wanted her to obey: "You want to drag the Crown Prince down with you?"
Seeing her instant understanding and shock, Zhou Chongli's eyes revealed undisguised admiration. "I like talking to smart people who understand immediately."
What if I don't agree?
"What bargaining chips do you have left to refuse?" Zhou Chongli looked at her casually. "Disguised as a man, infiltrating the officialdom, taking up the position of clerk, investigating secrets, corrupting the court, interfering in politics and deceiving the emperor... any one of these is enough for you to be executed on the spot in Suzhou Prefecture, without needing to be escorted to the capital."
Zhou Chongli softened his tone slightly, and there was a hint of sincerity in his voice, "But Ye Mu, to be honest, someone as interesting and intelligent as you would be a pity to die. So, be obedient, okay?"
Silence fell over the carriage.
After a long while, Zhou Chongli thought she was scared, after all, she was a woman, and was about to say something to comfort her when he heard Ye Mu's voice.
“No,” she raised her eyes, “Lord Zhou may not know, but I’ve been disobedient since I was a child.”
Ye Mu leaned forward slightly, "You're too optimistic. If nothing unexpected happens, those two account books should have already been taken out of Wujiang by Yi Cheng and are on their way to the capital."
"Are you still trying to fool me?"
"Trying to fool you?" Ye Mu smiled slightly. "Isn't it hidden behind the wooden board covered with little red flowers on the bulletin board at the second gate of the county government office? Yi Cheng took it away this morning when we set off for Suzhou Prefecture."
She went back just to tell him this.
Zhou Chongli's expression finally changed. His previous composure, as if he had everything under control, vanished, replaced by a scrutinizing look as if he had been outmaneuvered by his prey.
He reassessed the woman before him. "Fourth Sister is indeed very clever. How did you discover that?"
Ye Mu forced a smile, not answering immediately. She tilted her head slightly, mimicking his previous tone, her eyes filled with pity, and softly asked, "Will you be obedient?"
Zhou Chongli raised an eyebrow.
Ye Mu's smile deepened, "If you listen to me, I'll tell you. And I can also tell you that I know another secret about you..."
She paused slightly, looking down at him as if judging him—
“I already know that you are not Zhou Chongli at all.”
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Author's Note: Mu Bao's comeback moment! So satisfying! [Thumbs up][Thumbs up]
Happy New Year everyone!
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