Chapter 162

Qin Zhanhong blinked her eyes, looking at Chen Wuji with a face full of surprise, "How do you know these things? The matters in the court, I, having been in the court for a long time, still can't tell them apart."

She thought she already held Chen Wuji in high enough regard.

But after hearing Chen Wuji's words, Qin Zhanhong had to admit she was still shallow.

She simply couldn't understand these principles.

Sometimes she thought she saw the court's situation clearly, but at other times it was like viewing flowers through fog, and she couldn't even tell who was good and who was bad.

"I have extraordinary talent." Chen Wuji said offhand, "Originally in Xishan Village, the Yuan family held great power, they were wealthy and influential, with many clan members; later… cough, later something small happened, and now the village is peaceful. In short, the affairs of a small village are quite similar to those of the court."

Damn, I almost let it slip.

Qin Zhanhong furrowed her brows, looking somewhat bewildered.

"I don't understand that example at all," she said.

"Is that hard? Suppose Xishan Village had a village chief or headman; with the Yuan family being wealthy, powerful, and numerous, wouldn't the chief's authority be undermined?" Chen Wuji said.

"Oh…"

Chen Wuji brought the wandering topic back, saying, "So you mean I shouldn't pin too many hopes on the court's decisions now; I have to figure something out myself, right?"

"Although I really don't want to admit it, it's indeed the case," Qin Zhanhong said helplessly.

Chen Wuji nodded, "Understood. Are the city gates open today?"

"Open."

"Alright, then I'm off to go into the city and have a look."

"You… wouldn't just rest a bit?" Qin Zhanhong suddenly said, a little shy.

Chen Wuji waved his hand, "When I get back, things will be urgent; I'll settle the main matter first, and if I really can't, I'll have to prepare to flee."

He concealed his true intention; for such major affairs as leveling the Xianya and the Zhang family, it's better not to let Qin Zhanhong get involved, since she is ultimately a court official and the emperor's eyes and ears.

Qin Zhanhong suddenly said, "I'll go with you!"

"What are you going to do?" Chen Wuji asked.

"I also need to make some preparations, at least to ensure your friends' safety," Qin Zhanhong said.

"Okay."

……

Although the gate of Yunan City was open, the atmosphere remained tense.

The provincial troops at the gate hadn't withdrawn; dozens of armored, spear-wielding provincial troops replaced the city guards, strictly inspecting everyone entering the city.

Apart from not searching the person, any carried items would be examined very carefully.

Even the fodder for the livestock had to be stabbed repeatedly with a long spear a dozen times before being allowed through.

Chen Wuji and Qin Zhanhong carried nothing, so entering the city was relatively smooth.

The only variable was that Qin Zhanhong's excessively bewitching beauty drew some soldiers' attention, and she was subjected to an overly meticulous interrogation that clearly had other motives.

Women like Qin Zhanhong are naturally distinct from ordinary women in this era.

One type is common folk; the other is women like her who obviously are either rich or noble at a glance.

That aura of hers cannot be learned by ordinary women even if they bathed in silver every day.

Fortunately, Qin Zhanhong handled it casually, simply saying she worked at a certain brothel and inviting the officers to come show their support when they had time, which got them excited; she wasn't asked anything else, and politely let Qin Zhanhong and Chen Wuji pass.

But because of Qin Zhanhong's answer, Chen Wuji felt uneasy.

Those livestock looked at him strangely, deliberately glancing at his crotch.

Qin Zhanhong is a brothel entertainer; those livestock probably think he's a pimp, right?

Damn it.

"You better tell me which brothel you work at and when you see clients; I'll definitely come give you a proper show another day," Chen Wuji said through gritted teeth, "Making up excuses, you don't care about anyone's life or death, right?"

Qin Zhanhong's eyes fluttered with alluring charm as she giggled, biting Chen Wuji's ear and saying, "I've drifted to Sanlipu; the biggest sign on that door is, sir, you must definitely come."

Chen Wuji shivered violently, "Enough, you monster! Go do your business; I really have a loose mouth."

Saying that to Qin Zhanhong is like hitting a dog with a meat bun, isn't it?

Qin Zhanhong gave Chen Wuji a watery glance, her slender, fair little hand lightly covering her seductive red lips, she chuckled, her smile making all flowers pale, as if all the world's charm and allure were gathered in her.

She flicked her long skirt, her figure departing like a blossom in one step, "At noon, I'll be waiting for you at Li Si Fencha; I've heard their food and drink are excellent, I'll treat you."

Chen Wuji shook his head and muttered a curse at the monster.

No wonder they say beauty is a bone-scraping blade; ordinary people lack the fortune to endure it.

Leaving other things aside, those in poor health simply cannot bear it.

After parting with Qin Zhanhong, Chen Wuji went to the Ciji Monastery.

In the old medical clinic with mottled light and shadow, Zhang Lao lay lazily in a recliner, squinting as he basked in the specks of sunlight filtering through the window lattice.

The chair swayed up and down, and his body rocked slowly along with it.

Little Fish was nowhere to be seen, making the clinic especially quiet.

Chen Wuji entered, steadied Zhang Lao's swaying recliner, and asked with a smile, "Old Master, you don't look nervous at all; hasn't all that wind and rain outside reached your ears?"

Zhang Lao opened his eyes, which had been narrowed to a slit, "What could happen in this tiny Yunan City that I wouldn't hear? I know what fart those people are about to let just by seeing them lift their buttocks; they're old acquaintances—what's there to be nervous about?"

Chen Wuji: ……

"Such a small scene already makes you nervous?" Zhang Lao tilted his head, his slightly murky eyes shining with deep light as they fixed on Chen Wuji.

That piercing gaze made Chen Wuji's heart and spirit tremble slightly.

This old master was certainly a Mighty Tiger-like man in his youth.

Not everyone can reveal such an aura in casual gestures.

Chen Wuji shook his head, "I'm just worried I'll drag you and Little Fish into trouble; we're like those characters in stories cast into exile, with the road ahead blocked, so naturally there's nothing to avoid—what's there to fear?"