Chapter 11 I'll investigate her properly when I have the chance.
Lu Yuan cast a questioning look at her.
Jiang Zhi smiled sheepishly, “When I came here, I didn’t take my family’s carriage so as not to reveal my identity. Now the coachman I called at the last minute must have left because he couldn’t wait. It will take a lot of time to get another carriage. I would like to go to Beilifang. I would appreciate it if Lord Lu could help me.”
Beilifang is not far from here; you can get there quickly on horseback.
Since Jiang Zhi came out today for him, Lu Yuan didn't refuse, "Alright, if you don't mind, then go ahead."
When Jiang Zhi arrived outside Xie Fang Ju, she realized why Lu Yuan had said "if you don't mind."
He wasn't riding in a carriage at all, but rather a strong, glossy black horse.
Am I supposed to share a horse with him?
Jiang Zhi hesitated for a moment, but quickly let it go.
Today's opportunity to persuade Lu Yuan to send her to Beilifang is rare; it will be hard to encounter such a good opportunity again.
She wore a veil, and no one else knew her identity. Besides, Lu Yuan had already seen her bathing at Puzhao Temple, so there was nothing to be coy about. Compared to all that, what she needed to do next was more important.
Without further hesitation, he used Lu Yuan's arm to prop himself up on the horse.
Soon, a hot chest pressed against his back.
Lu Yuan held the reins with one hand, his tone revealing surprise, "It's rare for Wuli to let you up here; ordinary people can't even get close to it."
Jiang Zhi couldn't help but stroke its smooth mane. "That's probably because we're destined to be together."
"Sit tight." Lu Yuan squeezed the horse's flanks with his legs, and the black horse galloped away.
Lu Yuan specifically chose a side path, where there were hardly any people on either side.
Jiang Zhi straightened her back, trying to avoid contact with Lu Yuan, but even so, with the rise and fall of the horse's back, she inevitably bumped into his chest. His body temperature was like a constant source of heat, making her back sweat.
As soon as Lu Yuan mounted his horse, he began to regret agreeing to Jiang Zhi's request.
The effects of the incense hadn't completely dissipated. Although he had strong self-control, he wasn't a saint completely free from worldly desires. The soft body before him kept touching him, and the delicate, elegant fragrance permeated his nostrils. An uncontrollable ripple of emotion stirred in his heart. Looking down, he saw her smooth, rounded ears with their translucent downy hairs, and her long, delicate eyelashes that trembled like butterfly wings.
Lu Yuan's expression stiffened slightly, his Adam's apple bobbed, and his dark, unfathomable pupils gradually darkened.
He adjusted his posture slightly backward, trying his best not to let the person in front of him notice anything unusual.
Fortunately, Beilifang was not far away. He soon reined in his horse and stopped, seemingly relieved. "We've arrived."
Jiang Zhi dismounted and gave him a slight curtsy, saying, "Thank you, Lord Lu."
Ignoring the dejected look in his arms, Lu Yuan couldn't help but ask, "The North Neighborhood is a mixed bag, what are you doing here?"
Kita-ri-bu was lined with taverns and shops, and was a place where all sorts of people from different walks of life mingled.
Because he needed to investigate cases, Lu Yuan frequently visited this place. His identity made things difficult, and he relied on local thugs to uncover clues for several cases. He had also secretly made many deals with them.
But for Jiang Zhi, an unmarried woman, this place was still too chaotic.
Jiang Zhi replied, "My friend is inside. Lord Lu is busy with official duties, so please leave me here. I would be very grateful."
As long as Lu Yuan shows up with him in Beilifang, things will be much easier to handle next.
"Alright." Lu Yuan was relieved and didn't want to pry into why a young lady from a prominent family would have friends in Beilifang. He was about to rein in his horse and turn to leave when Jiang Zhi called him back.
"Lord Lu, if you go back and find the assassin, please be careful that the Embroidered Uniform Guard might target him from within."
After much hesitation, Jiang Zhi finally decided to speak up and remind him.
To avoid the possibility that if something happens to the assassin in the future, he might suspect him again, leading to endless trouble.
Lu Yuan turned to look at her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Miss Jiang, what makes you say that?"
“I was just being cautious,” Jiang Zhi said. “If the person behind it all knew that the assassin had been captured, they would definitely try to silence him. The best way to do that is to target the Embroidered Uniform Guard.”
Lu Yuan smiled slightly upon hearing this, though it was unclear whether he took her words to heart. "Thank you for the reminder."
He increasingly felt that this Miss Jiang seemed to know a lot of inside information, and if he had the chance, he would definitely investigate her thoroughly.
*
Jiang Zhi took a deep breath and looked at the bustling street in front of her, feeling as if she had been transported to another world.
No, to be precise, it was indeed a lifetime apart.
After the Zhongqin Earl's Mansion was raided in her previous life, Qifeng Tower, where she stayed, was located in the Beilifang area, so she was extremely familiar with the place.
Kita-ri-bo has wide roads and is lined with shops on both sides, making it one of the most bustling neighborhoods in Kyoto.
In the previous dynasty, it was just a desolate mud alley under the north city wall, a gathering place for underground salt merchants and gamblers. Later, with the opening of several restaurants and brothels, the mud alley gradually became lively, and surrounding shops sprang up like mushrooms after rain. Later, after being reorganized and widened by the imperial court, it grew larger and larger, eventually forming the Beilifang we know today.
She stepped inside, found her way to Jinqian Alley with practiced ease, and just as she raised her hand to knock on the door, two burly men who looked like thugs surrounded her. "What are you doing here?"
Jiang Zhi said, "I've come to see Li Yuanhu. Please inform him."
Li Yuanhu was the leader of the local thugs in this northern neighborhood. Jiang Zhi had heard of his name in her previous life and had even seen him a few times at Qifeng Tower.
"You think you can just see the boss whenever you want? Who are you? What are you up to, wearing a veil and acting all sneaky?" The two thugs asked her cautiously in quick succession.
Jiang Zhi was already prepared. "It was Miss Jiang Xue from Qifeng Tower who introduced me here. I have something important to discuss with her."
Jiang Xue was the top courtesan at Qifeng Tower and also Li Yuanhu's old flame.
In her past life, Jiang Zhi and Jiang Xue were acquainted. Jiang Xue was straightforward and frank. Although she seemed to love money more than anything, she had helped Jiang Zhi a lot.
As expected, upon hearing Jiang Xue's name, the two thugs exchanged a glance and said, "Wait here, I'll go in and inform them."
The thug went in and quickly came out again, opened the door and led Jiang Zhi inside.
This was a three-courtyard house. Li Yuanhu had just finished a set of boxing moves in the garden and was still sweating. He took a towel from a maid and wiped himself off casually. "What did that woman want from me?"
Li Yuanhu has a square face and a broad forehead, with high, prominent brow bones, and a very robust physique.
Jiang Zhi glanced at the maid beside her. Li Yuanhu waved for her to leave, and Jiang Zhi then curtsied to him and said, "I came to see Brother Li today because I want to ask you to do something for me."
"If I'm not mistaken, you must be a young lady from a wealthy family, right? What business do you have that requires you to come to Jinqian Lane to find me in person?" Li Yuanhu stared at her intently. "Besides, how could a lady from a prominent family like you know the top courtesan of Qifeng Tower? Who would believe it if word got out?"
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