Chapter 484: then translation of chapter title

In the small courtyard where lights and shadows interlace, a servant stepped forward to greet them.

"Which esteemed guests are here to look for someone?"

"Yes, we really are looking for someone—a ratty old man named Xiao Zong!" Chen Wuji deliberately emphasized. He still had a bit of experience with this; in such a place, asking if you're looking for someone basically implies what kind of fun you want.

"I know, someone already came to ask just now." The servant said politely, gesturing with his hand to the right, "Please follow me this way."

Chen Wuji nodded and followed, then they took another winding path with many turns.

Several people entered a small courtyard with a pink lantern hanging at its gate.

From the outside it looks like an ordinary residence, but inside it is actually quite large, as if several residences had been knocked together and pieced together.

Chen Li and Chen Wuyi followed behind, their expressions gradually becoming wary.

This courtyard has no yard; the whole courtyard is a huge fish pond, with a wooden bridge in the middle connecting the front building and the three rooms on the left and right sides.

However, in the darkness many things are not clear; only a vague sight of many fish can be seen.

The servant led Chen Wuji and the others toward the room on the left side.

"Miss, the guests have arrived."

He reported outside, then smiled at Chen Wuji, made another inviting gesture, and turned to leave.

Chen Wuji felt somewhat suspicious.

Is this getting a bit mysterious?

Moreover, his father-in-law truly lives up to the title—he didn't even come out to greet.

Could he be busy?

Chen Wuji pushed the door open and saw several soft couches on the upper table, and a curtain covered with poems; the room was filled with a delicate fragrance, fresh and elegant, giving a feeling of pure sweet love.

The room is quite nice, a pity there's no one!

"Anyone here?" Chen Wuji called out.

From behind the curtain came a voice: "I wondered who was looking for me? Turns out it's the commandant! Commandant, please wait a moment, please wait, I still have a bit of business; it'll be done shortly, very soon."

This was Xiao Zong's voice.

"Are we keeping you waiting outside?" Chen Wuji asked with a chuckle.

He momentarily didn't know what to say—this gentleman really is busy.

But the two of them are quietly busy in there—isn't that a bit too restrained?

Shouldn't the girls in a brothel be extremely uninhibited? How come there's not even a sound!

Xiao Zong shouted: "No problem, I'll be finished shortly."

"Fine, we'll wait outside then." Chen Wuji casually picked a couch and sat down calmly.

As long as Xiao Zong says it's fine, he's actually quite keen to observe.

Unfortunately these curtains are rather obstructive; no matter what angle he tries, he can only vaguely see the silhouettes inside, nothing else.

Moreover, that silhouette looks a bit odd—appears as if the girl is lying down while Xiao Zong is sitting.

The girl's figure is fairly distinct, easy to tell apart, so Chen Wuji won't mistake her.

What kind of position is this?

After less than a moment, the silhouette inside moved; then Xiao Zong, dressed in a white deep robe, stepped out holding his blood‑stained hands, and immediately apologized: "I didn't know the commandant was coming to look for me; I was rude, commandant, please forgive me."

"Yu Er, quickly tell your maid to serve the commandant tea and snacks; I'm going to wash my hands first!"

Having said that, Xiao Zong didn't wait for Chen Wuji to speak, and hurriedly slipped in through a small door on the other side of the room.

Chen Wuji:???

What's with the blood on his hands?

No, this gentleman's tastes shouldn't be that peculiar, right?

Chen Wuji felt numb.

He really didn't want to admit that the blood on Xiao Zong's hands was what he imagined.

But in such a place, doing that kind of thing, the girl inside is unharmed; aside from that situation, he really couldn't think of any other circumstance that would produce blood.

Chen Wuji pinched the corner of his mouth hard and whispered to Chen Li: "Eleventh Uncle, I regret coming here today to look for Xiao Zong; what excuse do I have to make a quick getaway?"

"Just leave, then later make up an excuse about some sudden urgent matter!" Chen Li said, leaning in.

"Is that okay? Elder Xiao is now our great meritorious servant, and we still have big hopes for him. Most importantly, his temperament is a bit odd; I'm worried he might get angry." Chen Wuji said uncertainly.

Xiao Zong's temperament is like a riddle.

If this makes him feel embarrassed and he storms off, it'll be hard to find him again.

This gentleman is now a genuine treasure.

The drawings of the bow and crossbow, plus some paper—these two contributions alone are enough for Chen Wuji to support him.

Chen Li held back for a while, then whispered: "If the family head is worried, perhaps just bear it a little. Lord Xiao is just… uh… never mind, I can't say it; this preference of his is indeed rather unique."

"Does Eleventh Uncle also think that?"

"Isn't it obvious? His two hands have blood, and there's no other source for it."

"I'm feeling a bit nauseous—what should I do?"

"Shall I pour the family head a cup of tea to settle it?"

"Don't you dare—I don't want to touch anything in this place right now!"

Even drinking water, Chen Wuji now feels the air in this room carries a smell.

Weren't people of this era very taboo about heavenly menstruation?

How come Elder Xiao does the exact opposite? Holy shit, he's seen a ghost.

The curtain inside stirred slightly; a woman of clear features but full of travel‑worn air, supported by a maid, stepped out and said, "I, your servant, greet the commandant; sorry for keeping you waiting."

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched slightly, "No problem, you go on lying inside."

He really couldn't bear to see this girl; his mind involuntarily thought of some actions, and Xiao Zong's hands were covered in blood.

"Commandant, in your presence, I dare not lie down again; please allow me to serve you tea!" The woman bowed slightly, her posture soft and weak, still carrying a hint of frailty.

Chen Wuji immediately raised his hand to stop him, saying, "Don't, I'm not being polite with you—go, rest! I know this isn't your fault, but I can see you're really uncomfortable right now, so go rest."

The woman was startled, hurriedly kowtowing, saying, "Commandant, please forgive me; I truly don't know what I've done to upset you, and please tell me what I've done wrong… it seems I haven't done anything wrong."

"I don't mean to blame you; I know this certainly isn't your intention. Nobody likes to receive guests during menstruation, so go rest—hurry up and go!" Chen Wuji could barely stand it.

The woman blinked, shyly saying, "Commandant, have you misunderstood something? I haven't started my menstruation yet—I still have a few days."

"Huh? Then what's with the blood on Xiao Zong's hands?" Chen Wuji asked, puzzled.

The woman's cheeks instantly flushed red.

Thinking about what Chen Wuji had misunderstood, she instantly felt embarrassed and wished she could bury herself alive.

Biting her lip, the woman said with an embarrassed expression, "I asked Mr. Xiao to tattoo a design on my shoulder—that's where the blood came from…"

To prove it, the woman opened her clothes and showed Chen Wuji the lotus tattoo on her shoulder.

Chen Wuji let out a sudden sigh of relief—thank goodness, thank goodness.

Finally he could breathe normally.

He had almost suffocated.