Chapter 94: To Whom Should You Entrust This Xue Bing?

A small river wound its way, and a tiny wine flag fluttered in the wind.

This was a well-known drinking spot nearby; Lu Xiaofeng knew the place well, and beside him walked a beautiful woman dressed in white—the famed Cold Rakshasa, Xue Bing.

After obtaining the red silk, Lu Xiaofeng went straight to the Xue household, consulted the Needle God, and learned the origin of the stitching on the silk. Now he was fully focused on heading to the capital to investigate the case, and at this moment, Xue Bing had attached herself to him, insisting on coming along.

Lu Xiaofeng was deeply troubled.

“Bring the finest bamboo-leaf green wine, four cold dishes, four hot stir-fries, and slaughter a hen to stew for soup!”

As Xue Bing ordered the food, Lu Xiaofeng suddenly waved his hand to stop her.

“What’s wrong?”

Xue Bing asked, puzzled.

Lu Xiaofeng spotted a table, sat down without invitation, and told Xue Bing: “Today we’re getting a free meal.”

Xue Bing looked at the table: over a dozen dishes—chicken, fish, meat—and several different jars of wine. At the table sat the host, dressed entirely in black, his face stern—but when he saw Lu Xiaofeng, he smiled brightly.

Lu Xiaofeng picked up a wine jar, mixed the old wine inside with the new wine here, and instantly the aroma spread. He poured a large bowl, drained it in one gulp, and said: “It’s been a long time since I drank Huo Xiu’s wine.” Then he looked at Xue Bing: “Today we’re dining with the rich.”

When famine struck, common folk would gather at the homes of the wealthy to eat and drink—it was a natural custom.

Lu Xiaofeng introduced Xue Bing: “This is Gu Qing, the man who brought down the richest man in the land, Huo Xiu—and now he’s the richest man himself.”

Gu Qing smiled and shook his head: “The richest are often just empty shells. Shangguan Feiyan was one. Huo Xiu was one too.”

Much of Huo Xiu’s wealth had been swallowed by the mysterious hand, but thanks to the Pearl and Jewel Pavilion, the Qingyi Tower’s structure was propped up, allowing it to keep earning steadily.

Since parting from Master Kugua in his meditation chamber, Gu Qing had taken Shangguan Feiyan and Shangguan Xueer back to Shanxi, brought wine along, and met Lu Xiaofeng by chance on the road to the Pingnan Prince’s mansion.

Of course, this was partly intentional on Gu Qing’s part.

Xue Bing’s gaze shifted, and she said to Lu Xiaofeng: “So you can actually talk to the richest man in the land?”

Xue Bing knew Gu Qing well, and she knew Shangguan Feiyan too. According to Auntie Gongsun, when Shangguan Feiyan plotted to take over the Qingyi Tower, Auntie Gongsun had secretly helped—but after Shangguan Feiyan seized the Qingyi Tower and the Pearl and Jewel Pavilion, she became miserly, giving Auntie Gongsun far too little in return, and even their sisterly bond faded.

It was because of Gu Qing that Auntie Gongsun never punished Shangguan Feiyan.

“Is it so impressive to talk to the richest man?”

Lu Xiaofeng retorted.

Gu Qing smiled: “True friendship shows when one rises and one falls; it’s proven when one lives and one dies. Through halls and courtyards, even one’s wife doesn’t avoid it—that’s true friendship!”

Lu Xiaofeng was deeply moved and immediately drained another large bowl.

“Ah!”

Gu Qing’s words startled the waiter, who involuntarily sat down and picked up a wine bowl to drink.

“When did the waiter here become so bold?”

Lu Xiaofeng stared at the waiter.

After drinking, the waiter winked at Lu Xiaofeng—a gesture that made Lu Xiaofeng scratch his head. He now knew the waiter’s true identity.

The King of Thieves, Sikong Zaixing.

“I’m starting to feel something’s off about this meal.”

Lu Xiaofeng clutched his chest. One Sikong Zaixing wouldn’t make him this wary—but with Gu Qing here, nothing was certain.

“Why hide that rag of silk?”

Gu Qing shook his head: “I don’t need your rag of silk to solve the case at the Pingnan Prince’s mansion.”

Because Gu Long already told me who the killer is!

Lu Xiaofeng lowered his hand, staring at Gu Qing in astonishment: “This is the only item left by the killer—why won’t you even look at it?”

“Because it’s unnecessary.”

Gu Qing said calmly: “The stitching on your silk, no matter how rare, passed through countless hands before it reached the killer. Chasing it is like fishing for a needle in the ocean.”

Lu Xiaofeng nodded—he agreed completely—but it was still a clue, and he had to investigate it: “Still, the silk can’t be completely worthless...”

If there was even a hint of a clue, Lu Xiaofeng wouldn’t let it slip.

“Actually, I came to steal the silk.”

Sikong Zaixing, beside them, revealed his purpose, then looked at Lu Xiaofeng: “But since Gu Qing is here, I won’t steal from you.”

Sikong Zaixing had been thoroughly defeated by the Qingyi Tower, and afterward, Gu Qing let him go—he was deeply grateful.

“What’s so valuable about this silk?”

“You’ve already seen it—what’s there to hide?”

Lu Xiaofeng and Sikong Zaixing exchanged sharp remarks, each harboring hidden motives.

“Lu Xiaofeng, just give the silk to Sikong Zaixing, then follow him. See who hired him to steal it—this case might become clear at once.”

Gu Qing offered the suggestion, and it struck exactly at the heart of Lu Xiaofeng’s thoughts.

Lu Xiaofeng looked at Sikong Zaixing, who still wore a broad smile.

Sikong Zaixing had been given a task by Jin Jiuling—or perhaps by someone else on Jin Jiuling’s behalf—to deliver Lu Xiaofeng’s red silk to Qixia Nunnery, so Lu Xiaofeng would meet the blind Jiang Chongwei and Jiang Qingxia, hoping to make him suspect the Red Shoes.

Jiang Qingxia was a member of the Red Shoes organization.

Gu Qing knew all this, and so he offered the helpful suggestion.

“Of course I’m fine!”

Lu Xiaofeng said.

“I’m fine too.”

Sikong Zaixing said calmly.

The mastermind behind it only asked Sikong Zaixing to deliver the red silk—he didn’t care how.

At this moment, Lu Xiaofeng’s gaze turned to Xue Bing. To pursue Sikong Zaixing, Lu Xiaofeng had to go alone—if he brought Xue Bing, Sikong Zaixing would slip away.

Xue Bing, met with this look, grew cold, preparing to lash out.

“Lu Xiaofeng, I know you want to solve the case.”

Gu Qing said.

Lu Xiaofeng nodded.

“You know this time is extremely dangerous—you might fall into the Embroidery Bandit’s trap.”

Gu Qing added.

Lu Xiaofeng nodded again.

“Xue Bing is as beautiful as a celestial being—you simply can’t bear to let her walk into danger. And you, with no parents, no siblings...”

Gu Qing went on: “Your aunts and uncles have all scattered, your friends are many but few you truly trust. Right now, in Hangzhou and its surroundings, I’m the only one you can confide in. Lu Xiaofeng, tell me—who should you entrust your lovely Xue Bing to?”

Gu Qing winked at Lu Xiaofeng.

(End of Chapter)